League of Ireland:Bohemians unveiled four new signings last night, players that manager Sean Connor believes will make the club "more competitive" and "give us a bigger say."

Indeed, his team urgently require a shot in the arm following poor performances of late including last night's 1-0 defeat to UCD at Belfield.

That result all but rules the Dublin club out of the title race. They sit in fourth position, 10 points behind leaders Drogheda United who won last night and have a game in hand over Connor's side.

Chris Turner, who worked with Connor at Sligo Rovers, joins along with Michael McGinlay, Dean Richardson and Ryan McCann.

Connor highlighted the influence Owen Heary and Kevin Hunt have had on the domestic game and Bohemians and is confident Turner can emulate their success.

"I think Chris can become as influential as those two if not more so," he said. "Over time I believe Chris has the potential to become the best midfielder in the league.

McGinlay, formerly of Manchester City and Cincinnati Kings, is a right-sided player equally at home up front. He is the son of former Scotland and Bolton player John McGinlay.

"I have been watching Michael since he was 15," said Connor.

"He has a good football pedigree and he has a lot to live up to but this is a chance for him to attract interest from English clubs again."

Richardson, a left back and winger signs from Celtic while midfielder McCann joins from Clyde via Celtic and St Johnstone.

"I think we've done very, very good business," added Connor.

"I wanted to strengthen. I felt we had gone a bit flat and I needed to put more of my mark on the team. But the board has worked with me and that's difference between this club and some of the others I have worked at.

"We weren't going to be blackmailed, weren't going to pay over the odds in terms of salaries. Their first question was "what can we win at Bohemians" and that's what I like about them."

Turner has penned a two-and-a-half year deal with the three other players staying at the club until the end of the season.

Connor also hopes to sign midfielder Stephen O'Donnell who will play against Sunderland tonight having impressed in the friendly with Wolves last weekend.

Josh Mimms, a 17-year-old goalkeeper at Liverpool and son of former Everton and Blackburn player Bobby, flew into Dublin for talks with Connor last night and could also feature against Roy Keane's side at Dalymount Park tonight.