Thompson has been sidelined since last month's World Cup qualifier against China, when he was brought down by defender Feng Xiaoting in the early minutes of the goalless draw in Kunming.

He missed Melbourne's 4-3 loss to Gamba Osaka in the Champions League last week and is also expected to sit out next week's return game in Japan but hopes to return for the final two games of the group stage in May.

"I've allowed the injury to heal and now I have started some light exercising," said the 29-year-old.

"My aim is to be back in time to play in the Champions League for Melbourne and be available for all of the international matches."

One match that Thompson is particularly keen to make his mark on is the World Cup qualifier against Iraq in Brisbane on June 2 when the Australians will attempt to avenge their 3-1 defeat in last year's Asian Cup finals.

"We were taught a valuable lesson that day and for the whole tournament about how difficult it is to play in Asia, as well as against other countries in the Asian region," added Thompson.

"Iraq are the champions of Asia yet they are on the bottom of the qualifying group which just shows how tough getting to the World Cup is.

"They will be desperate to get a win and put themselves back in contention.

"We will need to get a good result in Brisbane to give us the best chance of going through to the next phase of qualifying."

The match in Brisbane is one of four that the Socceroos will play in June. They meet the Iraqis again in Dubai on June 7 and Qatar in Doha exactly a week later before closing out the third round of the Asian qualifiers with a clash again China in Sydney on June 22.