Sporting briefs

Gattuso: Gennaro Gattuso is expected to recover by the end of this month after surgery for his fractured hand. The Milan midfielder was injured in a bizarre way as he fell into the dug-out during training for the national team. He sustained multiple fractures to his left hand and wrist. "Rino is doing well and he should be back on the pitch in a month," national team doctor Enrico Castellacci said. The news will come as something of a relief to Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti, who must have feared an extended absence for one of his key men.

Laudrup: Michael Laudrup, who had been linked with the managerial vacancy at West Ham, is set to take over as coach of Spartak Moscow within the next 48 hours, according to the club's director of sport. The former Denmark international was reportedly in Moscow over the weekend to hold talks with the Russian side, who have been looking for a new coach since the resignation of Stanislav Cherchesov last month. "Everything went well (during our meeting)," Valery Karpin told sport.ru. "I think it will be sorted by Tuesday or Wednesday."

Lupatelli: Cagliari announced they will have goalkeeper Cristiano Lupatelli in their ranks for the rest of the season. The 30-year-old's contract at Fiorentina expired this summer, leaving him without a club. Having played just 13 games in the last two years, spent on loan at Palermo and Parma, Lupatelli had been facing the prospect of a season in limbo. At Cagliari, he will compete with Simone Aresti and Federico Marchetti for the team's no.1 shirt.

McCulloch: Lee McCulloch has retired from international football, the Scottish Football Association have confirmed. The Rangers midfielder spoke to George Burley after reports claimed he would refuse to play for Scotland while Burley remained in charge. Burley has left the door open for the 30-year-old to change his mind.

Hull: The FA have confirmed that Hull manager Phil Brown has been charged with improper conduct. The charge relates to Brown's touchline behaviour during the Tigers' 5-0 home defeat by Wigan at the KC Stadium on August 30.

In Italy: Serie B - Vicenza vs Empoli 1-1. Prima Divisione (A) - Verona vs Spal 2-1.