Following a steady if unconvincing start to life back in the Championship, things appeared to be looking up for Swansea City towards the latter end of the season.

While a run of just one defeat in their last eight games was never likely to be enough to secure The Swans a play-off place this time around, it was enough to generate a renewed sense of optimism around the club and their chances of a return to the top flight this time next year.

Then came the end of the season, and with it the inevitable rumours that will have firmly put an end to that positive feeling around Swansea, with two of the club's key figures seemingly heading for the exit door at The Liberty Stadium.

While the rumours of interest in Daniel James will come as little surprise given how close he came to a move to Leeds in January and his subsequent performances, that will have made the growing rumours linking him with a move to Manchester United no easier to here for Swansea fans.

James has been in outstanding form for Swansea all season, quickly establishing himself as a key feature for Swansea on the pitch, and arguably one of their most reliable attacking outlets already, meaning he will be difficult to replace and badly missed with him looking set to move on in the summer.

At least Swansea fans knew the disappointment of losing James was coming, something which can not be said when it comes to manager Graham Potter.

Following the sacking of Chris Hughton by Premier League side Brighton on Monday morning, Potter has first emerged as the front runner to take over in The Amex dugout, and it already seems as though confirmation of a move to the South of England is imminent.

The speed with which this story has moved has taken many by surprise, and it is one that could deal Swansea's hopes of a push for promotion next season a significant blow.

Since arriving at The Liberty Stadium, Potter has stuck to Swansea's philosophy of playing an attractive brand of attacking football, something that seems to have grown more effective under Potter as the season has gone on, suggesting they could have been a forced to be reckoned with under the 43-year-old next season.

Had only one of Potter and James been set to leave, it could be argued that Swansea could have recovered from the blow. Potter has shown in his debut season in England his ability to adapt to changing scenarios, while James has shown on numerous times his ability to turn games in Swansea favour this season.

With both James and Potter now seemingly on their way out of Swansea however, it seems as though their promotion push for next season has hit a very early and significant stumbling block indeed.