Hibernian defender on his way to Wigan Athletic

The 24-year-old has been a transfer target of Latics before, during his time with Yeovil, before moving to Hibs in the summer of 2019.

However, he is on his way to the north west at the second time of asking, with Hibs having agreed to let him leave to gain first-team football.

James would become the sixth temporary arrival at the DW, with Latics desperately trying to bolster a squad decimated by the knock-on of administration.

Already on board are Viv Solomon-Otabor, Dan Garner and Josh Clarke, along with Gary Roberts and Danny Fox, whose contracts expired at the end of last term.

New boss John Sheridan on Sunday underlined the need to add ‘three or four’ senior players - and co-administrator Gerald Krasner confirmed cash was available.

“We have meetings every other day with the management,” he said. “If he’s got a player request, he’ll come to us with names and amounts.

"If it’s reasonable and we can afford it, we’ll do it.

“We’re not here to make life harder, we’re here to make life easier – although I don’t think some people believe that.

“The only thing is we will not be signing any players for the long-term, because we’re not here for the long-term.”