The Club America striker was shot in the head in Mexico City during the early hours of Monday morning following an incident in a city bar.

His doctors revealed the reduction in the swelling on his brain had allowed them to lower his sedation level.

"It is very positive news," said Dr Ernesto Martinez Duhart at a press conference reported on Club America's official website.

"We have made progress. We did a CT and it showed positive results. We observed less blood on the brain, a situation that allowed us to gradually reduce the sedation until the moment he woke."

He added: "We can not say there is no risk, because there are still many. For example, the risks of bleeding, infection.

"The good news is that he talks, questions, even dialogue in Guarani (one of the official languages of Paraguay)."

It was also confirmed on the website that Cabanas is already beginning to move most of his body.

Cabanas was transported to an intensive care unit at a local hospital after the shooting and was rushed into theatre where doctors made an attempt to remove the bullet lodged in his skull before deciding it would be too dangerous.

Cabanas is one of Paraguay's top players and was part of their World Cup squad in Germany four years ago.

The 29-year-old is a prolific goalscorer and was expected to lead Paraguay's attack in South Africa this summer.

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce recently revealed he was interested in bringing the striker to the Barclays Premier League.

Cabanas, who has scored over 100 times in the Mexican top flight, has netted 18 goals in 24 matches this season.