Thompson is thought to be closing in on action following the knee injury he suffered in last season's grand final.

Out of contract at the end of this season, the player is keen to further extend his stay at the club and Ernie Merrick would love to have him.

"My first sort of (preference) is to finish my career with Melbourne Victory," Thompson told the Herald Sun.

"I've been here already for five years and can't see myself being anywhere else. You don't know where football can take you, but we've started talking."

Merrick believes Thompson still has plenty left in the tank and can go on and effectively do 'a Kevin Muscat' - playing deep into his thirties.

He added: "Archie's got the type of body that could let him play until he's 35 and 36. We need to sign him and I'm very confident we will sign him."