Hibs defender Tom James' future is unclear as Wigan loan draws to a close

Tom James is currently on loan at Wigan from Hibs.

The 24-year-old joined the Latics on loan until mid-January back in September and has played almost every minute for the League One outfit since the move.

The Lancashire club has, however, found life tough in current months. They are still in administration as they edge closer to a sale, are on 13-match winless run, sit bottom of the league and are without a manager after John Sheridan’s departure in November.

James has earned good reports despite Wigan’s wretched run, having scored three goals from right-back including a goal of the season contender against Portsmouth, and is believed to be well-liked by current caretaker manager Leam Richardson.

Any extension to the loan deal will hinge though on whether Wigan can sort out their off-field troubles and if new coaching staff want to keep the Welshman at the DW Stadium until the end of the season.

James still has 18 months of his Hibs contract to run, but fell out of the picture under current head coach Jack Ross at the start of the year. With Paul McGinn in such good form at right-back and club captain David Gray as his understudy, James would find it hard to break into the team if he was to return to Easter Road next month.

A further option for James would be to join another club on loan. The former Yeovil player is understood to be enjoying playing football again and wants to continue getting regular game-time.

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