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.