Michael Dawson says he cannot understand why Liam Cooper has not been restored to the starting XI in the absence of Max Wober.
Cooper missed several matches due to injury earlier this year but returned to the squad just before the international break.
However, the Leeds captain has played just 16 minutes over the past four games, with Javi Gracia preferring Pascal Struijk at centre-back alongside Robin Koch.
READ MORE: Max Wober to be assessed ahead of Liverpool amid Javi Gracia's injury concern
But Dawson is concerned by Leeds' lack of leaders, and has urged Gracia to start him after an 'unacceptable' performance in the 5-1 defeat against Crystal Palace.
"I was surprised when Wober got injured and they put Struijk back in. I thought Liam Cooper would've come in, he'd been out injured so it gave Wober the chance to play.
"To not have him [Cooper], and Struijk, I mean we've seen him at left-back, and I couldn't believe that performance in the second half. I was watching it and thinking Leeds are going to be safe, 1-0 up, comfortable.
"They give a chance away to Jeffrey Schlupp early on in the first half and the goal just before half-time knocked the stuffing out of them.
"Second half was unacceptable. What you need in a relegation battle is fighters and I'm surprised Liam Cooper hasn't come back in. Javi Gracia just doesn't seem to fancy him for whatever reason, I'm not too sure why.
"You look around the dressing room and think, is it time to put him back in? We don't see on the training pitch, he has been out with injuries, maybe that's the reason, but that would've been a big concern."
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