	On 6 July 2016, Bristol Rovers F.C. signed James on a season long loan from Peterborough United He scored in pre season with a consolation goal during a 5-1 defeat to the hands of Swansea City. He made his league debut for the club on 14 August 2016, coming off the bench in a 2-1 victory over Oxford United, replacing Billy Bodin in the 66' minute of the game and scored a penalty in the shootout victory against Yeovil Town in the group stage of the controversial Checkatrade Trophy. Having yet to score a league goal for the club, James won a penalty in the 2-1 victory over Chesterfield on 18 March. He blasted it straight down the middle and despite the Chesterfield goalkeeper, Thorsten Stuckmann, moving to his right; he made a superb reflex save to deny James his first goal for the club.