Ganso hopeful of making Copa Libertadores semi-finals as he resumes Santos training

Santos star Ganso has revealed his desire to step on the pitch alongside his team-mates in the Copa Libertadores semi-final against Corinthians, as he resumes training with the Peixe following a knee injury.

The No.10 was ruled out of Brazil's international friendlies against Denmark, United States, Mexico and Argentina as he opted to undergo minor surgery on a complaint in his right knee.

The operation had put in serious doubt his presence for the continental clash, in which Santos will face off against their Paulista rivals for a place in the final.

Globoesporte reports, however, that Ganso trained alongside his companions on Saturday and has an outside chance of being declared fit for the first leg, which is scheduled for Wednesday evening.

The player himself confessed that it would be a dream to return and help Santos aim for a second successive Libertadores final.

"Playing is not impossible, so I am trying as hard as I can to recover and make it at 100 per cent," the young star explained in a recent interview.

"My desire to play is at 1000%, a game like this is one for the history books. That is it, the No.10 always likes to take responsibility at these times, scoring, passing and giving everything on the pitch."

Santos are the current Libertadores holders, having defeated Penarol 2-1 on aggregate in the 2011 final to lift their first Copa in 48 years.