Stoke midfielder Salif Diao hopes a trip to see his family will inspire him to rediscover his best form for the relegation dogfight.
Diao took advantage of the two-week international break to spend time with his wife and children at their home in Monaco.
And he admitted being away from his family had been a problem as his performance levels dipped after the turn of the year.
He said: "I don't want to make excuses but it is difficult being away for so long, especially when things aren't going so well.
"I really enjoyed going home to see everyone and it has cleared my mind. That should help me to give everything for Stoke until the end of the season.
"I've been disappointed with how I have played in the last few games and I need to put that right."
Diao will retain his place at West Brom on Saturday as long as he shrugs off a groin strain which he picked up in training on Wednesday.
The Senegal international has also encountered knee problems for much of his career but added: "I'm feeling quite good now and I'm desperate to help Stoke stay up.
"West Brom might be at the bottom of the league but it won't be easy because I've been impressed when I've seen them on television.
"They are producing a good calibre of football and I think they are unfortunate not to have a few more points on the board.
"A lot of people seem to have written them off but they definitely won't think that themselves."
Diao is not unduly concerned by the fact Stoke are the only Premier League side without an away win and believes a point at the Hawthorns would be a good result.
He added: "A draw would be more of a positive than a negative. It would take us closer to where we want to be and keep West Brom where they are.
"It would be nice to win away but we have a very good home record and some of the bottom teams still have to come to our place.
"It is good to know our destiny is in our own hands and all the boys are focused on what we need to do."
Stoke boss Tony Pulis has been sweating over the fitness of his international quartet, with Senegal star Abdoulaye Faye a particular concern.
Pulis said: "Abby has flown half way around the world to play a friendly in Iran and that worries me. We just have to hope it hasn't taken too much out of him.
"His ability and experience at this level has been very important for us and we are hoping he will be okay."
Faye's central defensive partner Ryan Shawcross was forced to cry off from England Under-21 duty because of growing pains, but he will start at The Hawthorns.
Pulis added: "We have to be very careful with Ryan because he's still growing and that has led to a few problems in recent months.
"People are giving him a lot of praise, and rightly so, but he still has a lot to learn. His positional play could be better and we have to accept he is going to make mistakes.
"Having said that, he has all the attributes to become a top player."
