Hull City will hope to bounce back to the Premier League at the first time of asking this season under new boss Leonid Slutsky, but will have to do so without midfielder Sam Clucas, with Hull having accepted a big money offer from Swansea for the player.

Clucas was inspirational for the Tigers last year as they almost avoided the drop, and the loss of the former Chesterfield man will hurt Slutsky’s promotion aspirations this season.

Having already lost Tom Huddlestone to Derby this summer, Clucas’ loss will have come as a blow, although an expected one.

The player had attracted the interest of top flight clubs following his form last year, and the windfall Swansea received from the sale of Gylfi Sigurdsson to Everton finally provided the Welsh club with the funds to launch a bid.

Clucas played a big role in getting Hull to the Premier League in 2016, and he will certainly need to be replaced before the transfer window closes.

Slutsky will expect the £15 million acquired from his sale to be thrown into the transfer kitty, and the Russian boss will surely be lining up replacements.

It has been a tough week for Slutsky, who lost star striker Abel Hernandez to a ruptured achilles in the week, and Hull fans will feel bleak now that Clucas is also set to leave.

There is still time for Slutsky to replace his lost men, but at this stage, Hull look a long way from returning to the top flight.

Are you worried for your season following events of the past week, Hull fans?