Rodgers returns to work

The Northern Irishman returned to work on Thursday following the death of his father Malachy at the age of 59 following a battle with cancer. Rodgers missed the 1-0 defeat against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium last weekend as he flew home to be with his family - a result that meant the Swans remained without that elusive first Premier League goal and win. But Rodgers is determined to change that this weekend. He said: "It's been a tough couple of days but my mind is very much on my work and getting back in amongst the group again. "Swansea has been a wonderful family for me as a city and as a football club. It really hits home once something happens like that which happens to a lot of people when you lose your parents. "But thankfully I am coming back to a club and city which have shown me great hope and always given me a wonderful reception since I have been here. "It's nice to come back to that comfort of a family. We are very much one family as a city and club. I want to get back to hopefully making my father proud and the club proud with that first win." Rodgers' hopes of a first win have not been helped by a defensive crisis, which has deepened with Thursday's news that FIFA have denied international clearance for the club to complete the deadline-day signings of Darnel Situ and Rafik Halliche. The south Wales club agreed a £250,000 deal with Lens for Situ, while Algeria international Halliche was set to arrive on loan from Fulham. But FIFA's verdict means they will not be appearing in Swansea shirts any time soon, and Rodgers admitted he may explore the possibility of recruiting players who are currently without a club to his squad to add some depth. Swansea will now await written confirmation from FIFA before deciding whether to appeal the decision, which came despite the Premier League. the Football Association of Wales, the Football Association, the French Football Federation and the Professional Footballers' Association all fighting their corner. The Swans are also without Alan Tate (broken leg) and Steven Caulker (knee), with the latter facing the possibility of undergoing surgery after damaging knee cartilage against Arsenal. Midfielder Kemy Agustien had been identified as potential defensive cover but he is another on the sick list due to a hamstring injury. But Rodgers wants his side to use a difficult week on and off the pitch to their advantage, revealing he has even come up with a motto for them. "I have got a motto for this year which I've had from the very start of the season," he said. "Per ardua ad astra - it means 'through adversity to the stars'. "It was ironic because I just knew it was going to be one of those seasons. "I think it pulls everyone together. We have a real strong sense of togetherness anyway because in adversity these things can give you that extra one per cent. We are very much together and pulling through that." Rodgers' side have produced encouraging performances in their home games to date, picking up goalless draws against Sunderland and Wigan when they could easily have claimed all three points. But the former Watford boss expects Roy Hodgson's side to provide a stern test at the Liberty Stadium this weekend. "When you are a newly-promoted team, your home games are very important to you. But our home form has been good and we could have won both our games," he said. "West Brom have started very well in terms of performance. Roy sets up his side very well, they have good tactical discipline in their game, good organisation, and they are a tough nut to crack. "They had a good result away at Norwich [1-0 win last Sunday] so they will come in with confidence. They have players who can hurt you on the break like Peter Odemwingie and Shane Long, who has started very well there. "There's quality in the team and they have shown it by finishing 11th last year. They have been up and down over a number of years but they look like a solid Premier League outfit and like every team they have the quality to score goals. "There's no doubt this is a game we want to win but it won't be handed to us on a plate."