Finally, Thomas James would have the chance to showcase his skills on the A-League stage.

And it wouldn't just be for a team making up the numbers, but a title contender, the Perth Glory.

Instead, it quickly turned into a nightmare, with head coach Tony Popovic refusing to give the 2019 NSW National Premier Leagues Player of the Year an opportunity to shine against the country's best footballers.

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With the side's final six regular season games complete, it was made clear to James he would not be featuring in the semi-finals.

The message capped a demoralising month for the 27-year-old, who had left a newborn baby to join the A-League bubble and pursue his football dream.

It's a situation that leaves a bitter taste in James' mouth.

"It's an experience I wouldn't want to go through again," James, who still harbours ambitions of playing in the A-League said. "I thought it was pretty disgraceful and embarrassing.

"It was depressing watching players playing my position that were not up to standard, while I was sitting in the stands every week.

"They didn't give me an opportunity, but Popovic kept playing his two sons when I know I'm better than them. That's one of the reasons I left."

James was referring to Popovic's teenage sons Gabriel and Kristian, who have featured heavily for the Glory since the A-League resumed.

Wollongong Wolves coach Luke Wilkshire was in constant contact with his star striker throughout his time in the bubble.

It was clear to the former Socceroo that James' mental health was deteriorating.

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"Going into the professional environment is one thing, but going into the professional environment in a bubble is another thing," Wilkshire said.

"He was stuck in a hotel, he couldn't see his newborn child. He wasn't happy, he wasn't given an opportunity, he wasn't spoken to.

"He was seeing certain people get treated in certain ways and get different opportunities, possibly because they've got a different name.

"Naturally his mental state wasn't right. I saw that when he came out of it. He was just sitting there in his room with no support around him."

James left the bubble last Thursday, Wilkshire driving the Englishman to Wollongong and back to a welcoming football squad.

But in one final insult, the Glory have decided to play hardball.

More than a week later, Perth still have not given James a release, preventing him from taking the field for the Wolves.

There remains no indication when it will be granted, with the Glory declining to comment when contacted by the Mercury.

For Wilkshire, this vengeance is the most frustrating aspect of the situation.

"They're not happy with the way he left, he walked out on them. That's not right, but that's not a reason to stop someone from playing football.

"There needs to be some understanding. This kid, he's been away from his family for four weeks in a bubble, he's feeling depressed, he wasn't given the opportunity he was desperate for.

"He just wants to play football. Why would you deliberately stop someone from playing football?

"No one's getting anything out of it. It's nothing but spiteful and a personal attack."