There were plenty of highs, including the birth of his first child and a call up to the A-League.

There were also plenty of lows, highlighted by a lack of opportunities with the Perth Glory and a messy departure from the club.

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It's a situation that has received plenty of airtime in recent weeks, with Perth refusing to grant the star striker an early release from his contract.

The deal officially expired on Monday, with James to return for the Wolves in Sunday's clash with Blacktown City at Albert Butler Park.

With the situation finally put to bed, the 2019 NSW National Premier Leagues player of the year is determined to move forward.

"I've put the situation behind me," James said. "I don't have any regrets for leaving. I feel like it was the best decision I made.

"If I could go back, I wouldn't even take the opportunity, knowing what would happen."

James' contract with the Glory came amid plenty of fanfare.

The Englishman had helped transform the Wolves into an NPL force, the side taking out the 2019 premiership and national final on the back of his scoring ability.

Such was James' prolific nature, he scored 22 goals last year, one less than the entire Wolves team in 2018.

It didn't take long for A-League clubs to express their interest, the Central Coast Mariners particularly keen, while he also travelled to Melbourne for a trial with newcomers Western United.

Neither club was the right fit, so James continued to dominate in the NSW NPL for the Wolves before Perth reached out.

A title contender with one of the most respected coaches in Australian football, it seemed like the perfect fit.

James would have his chance to shine on the national stage and the Glory would have added firepower in their pursuit of an A-League championship.

"Thomas is a player that we've been monitoring for some time and we've given him this short-term deal with a view to it being extended should he impress when the season resumes," Perth football director Jacob Burns said when the signing was announced.

"A quick and versatile central striker with a proven goalscoring record, we believe he has the ability to play at a higher level and look forward to seeing him prove that in the coming weeks."

That was mid-July. Two months later, we know how the situation played out.

The opportunity to impress did not come, with James instead watching from the stands as the Glory limped to a semi-final exit.

"It was a mentally draining period," James said. "I was promised one thing, then obviously something else happened.

"I was told I was going to play, but then ended up in the stands for four weeks. It was pretty depressing, I didn't feel like I deserved to be sitting there."

Wollongong coach Luke Wilkshire was in constant contact with James throughout his time in the A-League bubble.

Such was his concern for the striker's mental health, the former Socceroo drove to Sydney to collect the 27-year-old.

That, unfortunately, was not the end of the torment for James.

With Perth playing hardball and refusing a release, the Englishman struggled as he was forced to watch the Wolves from the sidelines.

"We have so much talk about mental health in young men and then the Glory made him endure that over the last seven weeks," Wilkshire said.

"His state coming out of the bubble was not good. Thomas felt like he wasted a month and he just wanted to get back playing football and they deprived him of that for another three weeks for no real reason."

With the situation finally resolved, Wilkshire has seen a different person at training this week.

The confident, outgoing showman is back, with James buoyed by the prospect of a return to the pitch for the first time since March.

"He's chomping at the bit. I've seen a massive shift in his training, in his mental state.

"The burden that has been on him has been released, now he's free to play. Mentally it's been a very challenging time, I've seen that released this week.

"We've seen a massive difference in TJ and it's great to have him back."

James has never been one to mince his words and makes no secret of his belief he is good enough to play in the A-League.

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While his ultimate goal is to play the sport professionally, he remains focused on the short-term challenges he currently faces.

The striker comes into a side battling a torrid injury toll and hoping to recover from a disappointing loss to Sydney United 58 last weekend.

The Wolves will welcome back defenders Nick Littler and Chris Price for Sunday's clash with Blacktown City, however they remain shorthanded up front.

Hamish Lamberton and Lachlan Scott have been joined on the sidelines by emerging talent Bul Juach, who suffered a serious ankle injury in the loss to United.

The 19-year-old underwent surgery on Tuesday and is looking at 12 weeks before he can resume running.

The team's depth has also been tested in the midfield, with captain James Stojcevski likely to miss a second-straight week with a back injury and Harry Callahan in doubt due to a groin complaint.

Wilkshire had initially planned to ease James back into the fold with a 30-minute stint off the bench.

Given the nature of the injury toll, the striker could be set for a much longer period on the field. Never one to stand down from a challenge, James is confident he will be up to the task.

"I'm feeling good and looking forward to getting on the pitch with the lads again," James said.

"We're looking to finish off what we started and to win it for Bul now. Hopefully we can bring success for him.

"There's so much uncertainty in football now, coronavirus has messed up everything. We have eight games left, my focus is on getting back on the pitch and enjoying football again."

The season has thrown up plenty of challenges for Wilkshire, a second-year coach who enjoyed a golden run during his first 12 months in charge.

Perhaps the most frustrating has been the Wolves struggles to capitalise on chances in front of goal.

That is an area James will provide an immediate spark.

"There's no doubt he will make an impact," Wilkshire said. "He's a goal scorer, he loves scoring and it's what he does best.

"Naturally having him on the field will be a benefit to the team, especially with the amount of chances we are creating."

The coach has worked closely with James throughout the past two seasons, the pair training together on a daily basis during the coronavirus shutdown.

That is what made the period so tough for Wilkshire to handle, months of hard work going to waste as the striker sat on the sidelines watching the Glory struggle.

But now he's back in Wolves colours, the mentor has set a new challenge for his student.

"He's missed half of the season but I've challenged him to still go on and be the top goal scorer."

Whether he achieves that goal or not, Wilkshire is confident James will soon be back in the A-League

"He doesn't have a point to prove, I know what he's capable of. I expect him to show everyone what he's capable of this season, as he always does."