Powell set to be latest high-profile withdrawal from Commonwealth Games

DEFENDING 100m champion Asafa Powell looks set to be the latest high-profile withdrawal from October's Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

MISSING OUT: Asafa Powell looks set to miss the chance to defend his Commonwealth Games title, according to his agent (Reuters)

Former world record holder Powell, has clocked a season's best of 9.82 seconds - the same as Olympic and world champion Usain Bolt - but is not in peak condition, according to agent Paul Doyle.

Powell withdrew from the much-anticipated three-way clash with Bolt and Tyson Gay in Stockholm earlier this month where Gay inflicted Bolt's first major defeat for two years.

He was also absent from the Aviva London Grand Prix in Crystal Palace with a nagging back problem where Gay set the fastest time in the world this year - 9.78 seconds.

And Doyle has confirmed he is unlikely to make the trip to the Indian capital to defend his title.

"A final decision is imminent, but it's looking extremely unlikely at best that Asafa will be in India," Doyle told the Mail on Sunday.

Bolt has already brought down the curtain on his season, citing injury as he licks his wounds from his Stockholm defeat but earlier in the year coach Glen Mills confirmed the Jamaican had little intention of competing in Delhi.

"The timing couldn't be much worse for Asafa," added Doyle.

"For him, just as for Usain, the next two-year cycle means everything and he doesn't want anything, such as his pre-season being put back, or his injuries flaring up again, to affect this."

Powell's likely withdrawal will come as another major blow to Commonwealth Games organisers who have seen Delhi 2010 plagued by financial, infrastructural, corruption and security problems.

A number of athletes who would have harboured medal hopes for Great Britain have already pulled out including Paula Radcliffe, Jessica Ennis, Jenny Meadows, Natasha Danvers, Martyn Rooney, Michael Rimmer, Jemma Simpson and Perri Shakes-Drayton.

Olympic 400m champion Christine Ohuruogu and world triple jump champion Phillips Idowu will make the trip however, as will world 1500m silver medallist Lisa Dobriskey.

Meanwhile, scheduling clashes for cycling and gymnastics will ensure Sir Chris Hoy, Victoria Pendleton and Beth Tweddle will also be absent, as will Bradley Wiggins, who has cited fatigue.