The world’s fastest man Usain Bolt revealed yesterday he has put on some muscle in an attempt to stay ahead of the chasing pack.

The 24-year-old Jamaican is making his return to the track for the first time in almost nine months at the Golden Gala meeting in Rome, the third leg of the Diamond League series. He has not competed since being beaten by Tyson Gay in Stockholm at the beginning of August.

Bolt appeared more muscular than in the past but said he doesn’t yet know what affect his physique will have on his times.

“I put a little bit more muscle on this season, I’ve been doing a lot of work strength-wise and core-wise and maybe that’s why I look fitter,” he said.

“I’ll definitely see on Thursday (what difference it makes) because this is going to be the first race that I’m looking like this.”

It’s not just core strength that Bolt, the world and Olympic champion over 100m and 200m – and the 100m record holder in 9.58secs – has been working on during his long lay-off. He also wants to improve his starts.

“Last season I didn’t take it as seriously but now I’m coming back and it’s taking time, but I’m getting there,” he said.

Bolt came into the press conference at the plush Villa Pamphili hotel in an Italy football shirt, inspiring some to suggest he resembled Italian striker Mario Balotelli, whose parents are Ghanaian.

“That’s the fourth time I’ve heard that this morning,” joked Bolt who nonetheless insisted he plans to take up a career in football after the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

And the Manchester United fan also laughed off the comparison to a Manchester City player.

“Balotelli’s a great player, he’s a bit aggressive but it’s OK (being compared to him).”