Sao Paulo defensive midfielder Souza has edged closer to a return for the club but is till some way off getting game time, according to reports in the Brazilian press.
Souza is still feeling the effects of a muscle injury that has forced him to miss four gems so early into his Sao Paulo career.
The 25 year-old, who is on a season-long loan from Gremio, joined Tricolor for the campaign after making 31 appearances for his parent club last term.
After helping Vasco da Gama win the Campeonato Brasileiro B in 2009, Souza left for Porto and won the Portuguese treble in 2011 as well as the Europa League in a stellar season, before moving home to Gremio in 2013.
