The former Jets skipper was a popular figure in the Hunter before moving south to join Heart and he is looking forward to meeting up with old friends - but he returns on a mission, to help Heart get their first points on the board.

''Newcastle were great towards me and I left on great terms so I am looking forward to going back there,'' Thompson told The Age. ''If anything I might feel a little bit more comfortable.

''You want to catch them on a bad day. I like to think if we get on top early, we can get away with a win."

Heart's first taste of A-League action ended in defeat, a 1-0 loss to Central Coast Mariners, but that's history according to Thompson.

''The boys are quietly confident. We were a bit disappointed with the score but everyone was a bit upbeat to get that first game out of the way," he added.

" It would have been nice to get something out of it. We put it behind us straight away. There's no reason we can't do a number on Newcastle.''