O’Neill eager to land new signings

MARTIN O’NEILL has admitted it is “more important than ever” to bring in new signings now that skipper Gareth Barry’s future lies away from the midlands club.

O’Neill is resigned to losing Barry even though he will demand Liverpool meet his £18million (€22.7m) valuation of the player before the saga comes to an end.

Olof Mellberg, Thomas Sorensen and Patrik Berger have already left since the end of last season plus on loan Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson.