Melbourne Heart midfielder Matt Thompson admits it is time to shake off the rust and make an impact with his new A-League club.

Thompson, who was capped by the Socceroos last year, admits he is yet to reach his best form with the Heart since signing from Newcastle.

Off-season ankle surgery wrecked Thompson's pre-season, and as a result he has been slow to hit his stride - a similar problem to that facing his fledgling club as they struggle to piece together a solid 90 minutes.

But Thompson believes both he and the Heart are getting there, and hopes he can reach the next level up in Sunday's home clash with Wellington Phoenix.

"I'm not there yet. That's not the ankle's fault, it's myself," Thompson said.

"I obviously went into the first game not playing for a while but once I got through that, the ankle was put behind me.

"But I'm not too disappointed.

"Obviously results haven't come but I'm sure there's plenty of us out there who have plenty to work on and hopefully this week we can gain some form and start some momentum."

The 27-year-old will come up against two players he knows well from his time at Newcastle - Phoenix's new central defensive pairing Andrew Durante and Jade North.

North made his Phoenix debut in the 0-0 midweek draw with Melbourne Victory and slotted in well alongside Durante.

Both won a championship alongside Thompson at the Jets, and he knows just what a formidable combination they will make for the Phoenix.

"Having Dura and Jado at the back - they're going to be a lot better for it," Thompson said.

"They're two quality stoppers, they've been around a long time and got a lot of experience there."

The Heart are likely to juggle returning trio Josip Skoko, Alex Terra and Rutger Worm to ensure they are eased back into the game following injury.

Skoko has not played in six weeks because of a hamstring problem, while Terra and Worm have been hit with niggling injuries.

Coach John van 't Schip is likely to start just one of the trio, with the other two expected to come off the bench.

The Heart will be without Socceroo defender Michael Beauchamp as he serves a two-match ban for his send-off in the defeat by Central Coast Mariners last weekend.

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