ALBION were last night playing a waiting game as they looked to appoint a new boss.

The Seagulls were hoping for the green light from Swansea City to talk to their manager Graham Potter.

At the same time, they were assessing at least two other options as they aim to replace the sacked Chris Hughton.

Albion remain confident of bringing in Potter and his coaching staff, despite having an initial approach knocked back. The process of securing clearance to open negotiations with Potter has been left in a holding pattern by the fact Swansea’s joint owners are on opposite coasts of the USA, one in Los Angeles.

Swansea have no great wish to lose the man who guided a young side to mid-table in the Championship after arriving from Swedishminnow Ostersunds last summer.

But Albion are hopeful that, should Potter and his family opt to make the move, a deal could be wrapped up smoothly.

Compensation is not likely to be a problem and relations between the two clubs are good.

It is understood Albion chief executive Paul Barber and Swansea chairman Trevor Birch have been friends for many years. The Seagulls are also on good terms with Potter’s agent.

As well as assessing the on-field challenge provided by Albion, Potter, 43, would have to decide on a big move off the field.

He is married with three children – of whom one is of school age – and uprooted his family just last summer after five years in Sweden.

Potter last night remained the leading candidate to succeed Hughton although Albion are believed to have a short-list of three.

They are prepared to wait up to a point but want their man in place to have input into what could be a busy transfer window.