Watch: On-loan Hibs defender Tom James scores peach of a free kick for Wigan against Portsmouth

Full-back cracked in free kick from around 35 yards as Latics recorded victory on the road

Tom James netted a stunning free-kick winner for Wigan at Portsmouth

Tom James insists he’ll be happy to step up any time Wigan Athletic have a free kick 30-35 yards from goal after the on-loan Hibs defender netted the Latics’ winner in their 2-1 victory away to Portsmouth on Saturday.

The 24-year-old joined the EnglishChampionship side on a loan deal until January earlier this month and opened his account in his second league appearance and only his third match for John Sheridan’s side.

Speaking to the club’s website after the game, James said: “It is one of those things that I have been practicing for years now – probably about four or five years - and I scored a few of them when I was at Yeovil. Any time that it is 30 or 35 yards out then I feel confident with it.

"It was a massive win. We knew in the last couple of games we have been good enough to win but it didn’t happen so getting the points today is massive.

"We’re a little disappointed to concede but it is three points and we head back up north."

James made his first appearance for Wigan against Gillingham last weekend in a 3-2 defeat at the DW Stadium and came off the bench as the Latics crushed Liverpool’s Under-21 side 6-1 in the EFL Trophy midweek.

Having not played a competitive game since he turned out for Hibs in their 4-2 Scottish Cup replay victory against Dundee United in January, the former Cardiff youngster admits he is taking time to get up to speed.

James added: "Fitness has come with the games I am playing. In the first game I was probably a little bit hesitant to go forwards and do the kind of things I want to do but game by game I have been getting fitter and stronger and I will be able to do more.

"The game against Liverpool was against the 21s but it is good to get that winning mentality and it is good to take it into the next game with a great result here – winning away from home is always a bonus so hopefully we take that into the next game and get a little run going.”