Powell – who is due to meet his Jamaican friend and rival Usain Bolt over 100m at the Compeed Golden Gala meeting in Rome on May 26 – will be looking to redress the balance after his meeting with the American at last year's Aviva British Grand Prix in Gateshead, when Gay beat him by 0.02sec as he won in 9.94sec.

Injury forced the Jamaican had to withdraw from their planned re-match at Crystal Palace, where Gay won in 9.78 in gloomy conditions – the fastest 100m recorded in 2010.

The announcement of the double UK showdown marks 100 days to go until the pair race at the Aviva Birmingham Grand Prix, the first ever Samsung Diamond League meet to be held in the city and the opening Aviva Series outdoor event of 2011.

Gay, a former triple world champion, has the edge over Powell with eight wins to six in their overall head-to-heads.

Powell is keen to make up for lost time by recording the first sub-10 second time at Birmingham's refurbished Alexander Stadium, before finalising his preparations for the IAAF World Championships in Daegu, Korea - due to be held between August 27 and September 4 - with another record time at the Aviva London Grand Prix.

The 28-year-old Jamaican, who has won three times at Crystal Palace, said: "Tyson and I enjoyed a great race against each other in Gateshead and I'm sure it will be the same at the Aviva Birmingham Grand Prix.

"I have only run in Birmingham once before, but if it is like London I know there will be a lot of Jamaican fans coming to support us.

"It's because of this support that running in the UK always feels like being at home."

It was in Gateshead, five years ago, that Powell set the then world record of 9.77 and his time still stands as the fastest to be witnessed on UK soil.

He continued: "This year is most definitely about preparing for the World Championships and these two meets will be an important part in that process.

"Going head-to-head with Tyson last year in Gateshead reminded us of the great rivalry we have had over the years and I'm not scared to put myself up against him; we drive each other on.

"I still hold the fastest time to be run in the UK and while you never try to be too concerned about the times, as it is all about winning races, I'd like to be the first man to run sub-10 seconds at the Alexander Stadium. It would be good to have another record in the UK."

In addition to the Samsung Diamond League and vital preparations for Daegu, both athletes will be aware that each meet holds great significance as Birmingham is the city hosting both the Jamaican and United sttes track and field teams' pre-Olympic holding camps.

Likewise, the 100m final at Crystal Palace will take place exactly one year before the same event at London 2012.

Bolt will hone his preparations for the World Championships by running the 100 metres at the  Diamond League meeting in Monaco on July 22.

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