Thompson has also said as much and with the former Mansfield Town stopper having played more in pre-season too, there is no doubting his slot in Thompson's eleven.
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This even despite his clanger as Nottingham Forest took the lead in the latest friendly at Meadow Lane.
Mike Edwards of course would certainly have taken his place against one of his former clubs, but his injury has created an oppurtunity for somebody who would have perhaps been a substitute.
Stephen Hunt is the automatic selection as one of the centre backs having worked his way into Thommo's first choice eleven from January until the end of the season.
He has continued in that vein in pre-season. But who will be his partner?
Going into the final pre-season game at Tamworth on Saturday the likes of Lee Canoville and Adam Tann will be keen to take their chance to stake a claim to be Hunt's partner.
It is likely that whoever starts the encounter with the Lambs will be the man favoured by Thompson.
Canoville performed poorly on his debut against the Reds while Tann failed to pull up any trees in an earlier defeat to Leicester City.
It is all to play for.
The full-backs are two of the most keenly contested areas at the club.
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After the departure of nailed on starter David Pipe to Bristol Rovers, Gary Silk, Rob Austin and Tann or Canoville will vye to fill his boots.
One of Canoville - better at right back according to those who have watched him in the past - or Tann will be out of contention owing to them starting in the centre.
It is probably likely that the loser in that position will play right back.
But Silk, who got better as the season wore on last year, will have one last chance to stake his claim at Tamworth providing he recovers from a recent knock.
Although young Austin performed consistently in a surprise ninety minute run out against Forest, he is unlikely to figure this early in the season with it being his first year as a full-time professional.
Into midfield it is certain that 4-3-3 will be played.
You would imagine both Neil MacKenzie and Matt Somner have guaranteed their places.
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Somner was far from convincing against Forest but Thompson will not want to sacrifice a defensive midfielder in such an attacking formation.
He will start, although Silk may push him there.
MacKenzie has been the Magpies' most impressive performer in pre-season, making the place his own with his vision, goal and creativity.
The penultimate signing was the long awaited one of Richard Butcher. It is likely to be out of him and Jay Smith, who impressed in the same formation as a goalscoring midfielder at the back end of the last campaign.
Smith has been nursing an injury, allowing Butcher more pre-season minutes which may work in his favour.
But neither are yet nailed on starters and both must work hard to take their place - the competition is great for the club.
Up top Jason Lee, as the captain and last years top scorer will take his place.
The other two gaps are unsure.
Lawrie Dudfield and Andy Parkinson have both been in good form alongside Lee in pre-season and the trio know each others games more than the other candidates Hector Sam, Spencer Weir-Daley and Myles Weston.
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Weir-Daley is surprisingly perhaps out of the running with assistant boss John Gannon claiming he will have to wait for his chance leaving Weston and Sam to battle with Parkinson and Dudfield.
The latter could be favourite considering his form is perhaps the greatest of all the forwards despite once again failing to have hit the target - a regular criticism last season.
Sam has scored but wasn't given much time against Forest making the Tamworth game vital to his chances.
Weston's injury will harm him, and he might be seen more of as an impact substitute for now.
What competition - an embarassment of riches?
NCM's nailed on starters: Pilkington, McCann, Hunt, MacKenzie, Somner, Lee
NCM's 60:40 starters: Tann, Canoville, Dudfield
NCM's a lot to be decided: Parkinson, Sam, Weston, Butcher, Smith
NCM's not going to start: Mendes, Rob Austin, Matt Austin, Weir-Daley, Sandercombe, Mayo, Stef Frost