Thatcher absence to go on

Manchester City FC

Norwich City FC striker Darren Huckerby has signed a one-year contract extension keeping him at the club until summer 2007. The 28-year-old joined Norwich from Manchester City last December and helped his new team win promotion to the Premiership. "I am very pleased," Huckerby said. "I have always intended to stay at the club longer than my original contract."

SBV Vitesse, NEC Nijmegen and Roda JC all exited the Dutch Cup after third-round defeats this week. Vitesse lost 1-0 at Eredivisie rivals FC Den Bosch on Wednesday while NEC fell 2-0 to FC Twente. The night before, Roda were defeated 2-0 by lower-league opponents Go Ahead Eagles. ADO Den Haag, NAC Breda, Willem II and RKC Waalwijk all reached the last 16, though, where the six European competition entrants, including holders FC Utrecht, will join the draw.

Also in the Netherlands, struggling De Graafschap have signed Brazilian striker Magno Mocelín until the end of the season. Magno has been a free agent since being released by Spanish side Deportivo Alavés last summer. The 30-year-old, who played for FC Groningen for two years until a 1998 switch to Alavés, has been on trial at De Graafschap and said: "From the start they have made me feel welcome. It was an easy decision to stay."

Hibernian FC are seeking approval from the Scottish Football Association for left-back David Murphy to play against Rangers FC in the Premier League on Sunday with a protective cast on his broken left hand. Manager Tony Mowbray admitted the decision was down to match referee Willie Young, saying: "The operation went fine and the surgeon is happy for David to play with a lightweight protection around his hand."

Teenager Robert Snodgrass has signed a new three-and-a-half year contract with Hibernian's SPL rivals Livingston FC. The 17-year-old striker made his debut in September and has committed himself to the club until May 2008. Manager Allan Preston said: "He is a young prospect and what we have done is signed potential. He has plenty of ability and we are very glad to have him."

Former Italian international Moreno Torricelli, who won the 1995/96 UEFA Champions League with Juventus FC, has joined Serie B side AC Arezzo until the end of the season. The 34-year-old right-back has been out of contract since leaving Spanish club RCD Espanyol last summer.