Torino are looking to boost their chances of survival in Serie A this season with the addition of Antonio Nocerino in January.

Reports in Italy yesterday hinted that the Milan midfielder is in the wanted list of Giampiero Ventura, the Torino coach.

TuttoSport said Torino are mulling an offer for Nocerino to join them on a six-month loan from Milan in the winter transfer window.

Nocerino, formerly of Paler-mo, has been unable to command a regular place in the Milan line-up this season even though he managed nine games in all competitions.

Argentina call-ups

Argentina coach Alejandro Sabe-lla has named two uncapped defenders in his squad for friendlies in the United States against Ecuador and Bosnia this month.

Fiorentina’s Facundo Roncaglia and Lucas Orban, of Bordeaux, were called up yesterday as Sabella looks to shore up a defence that has been frequently exposed by the counter-attack ahead of next year’s World Cup finals.

Sabella also recalled Porto centre-back Nicolas Otamendi, a member of Diego Maradona’s 2010 World Cup squad in South Africa. The tour will also mark the first time striker Gonzalo Higuain can link up with Lionel Messi since June.

Poland’s Dudka joins Birmingham

Birmingham have signed Poland international Dariusz Dudka on a two-month deal.

Dudka, who will remain at St Andrew’s until January 1, is a holding midfielder who can also play full-back or at the heart of defence

The 29-year-old has been on trial at the Championship club in recent days, although he is not expected to be available for first-team action for another couple of weeks as he builds up his match fitness.

Dudka is an experienced international having racked up 65 caps and featured in the 2006 World Cup as well as the 2008 and 2012 European Championships.

Promising Inter defender quits

Young defender Felice Natalino has announced his retirement from football due to health reasons.

Natalino, 21, had already made his debut in Serie A for Inter but club medics ordered him to stay off the field last year to check on an irregular heartbeat.

Natalino had emergency surgery in February but he still hoped to make a full comeback only to have his dream shattered at such a young age this week.

“Unfortunately Destiny had other ideas! But I will always have the honour of playing alongside someone like him!” wrote Natalino on Twitter with a picture of him with striker Samuel Eto’o.

New Norwich City deal for Ruddy

England goalkeeper John Ruddy has signed a new four-year contract at Norwich City.

The new deal sees Ruddy extend his commitment to the club until 2017, with the Canaries having the option of extending the contract for a further year.

“I’m more than happy to commit my long-term future to the club,” Ruddy said.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at Norwich City – everyone has been very supportive. The whole club, the players and staff I have worked with have been fantastic.”

Ruddy, 27, joined Norwich from Everton in the summer of 2010 and has gone on to make 107 appearances in all competitions for the club.

Kone concern for Everton manager

Everton manager Roberto Martinez admits he is worried by a knee injury to striker Arouna Kone. The Ivory Coast international sustained the problem in the 2-1 win over Hull on October 19 and missed last week’s win at Aston Villa.

He is set to miss tomorrow’s visit of Tottenham but Martinez does not yet know how long the forward, whose Everton career has yet to take off after following his manager from Wigan in the summer, will be out for.

“We had a little bit of a setback and we are a bit worried with the knock he picked up against Hull,” said the Toffees boss.

“I am a bit concerned with his knee because he is someone who gets through anything.”

Advocaat shocked by Ricksen illness

AZ Alkmaar coach Dick Advocaat has reacted with shock to the news that Fernando Ricksen has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

Ricksen made the announcement this week after being diagnosed with the incurable condition. The 37-year-old worked under Advocaat at both Rangers and Zenit St Petersburg as well as with Holland while the defender also spent three years with AZ until 2000.

“The terrible news that Fernando suffers from motor neurone disease has deeply touched me,” Advocaat said.

“Even at AZ it has hit us hard. He was here in Alkmaar for three successful years, the club has good memories of him.”