James Trafford kept a clean sheet for Leeds United at Sunderland on Sunday evening in the Premier League

Goalkeeper James Trafford needs to be more vocal on the pitch with his Leeds United teammates if he is to kick on to the next level.

That's according to ex-Whites defender Dominic Matteo, who would like to see the current Elland Road No.1 emulate the attributes of previous incumbents Paul Robinson and Nigel Martyn.

Trafford, 24, has made nine appearances for Leeds since completing a £45m move from Manchester City in the summer, keeping four clean sheets in the process.

The latest arrived on Sunday, when the England international kept Sunderland at bay in a 0-0 stalemate at the Stadium of Light, which kept Daniel Farke's side seventh in the Premier League table.

But Matteo, who made 146 appearances for Leeds after transferring from Liverpool in August 2000, wants the club's current glovesman to take on more authoritative responsibility.

Make sure you never miss the latest Leeds United news and opinion by making Leeds Live one of your Google preferred sources.

Speaking to LUTV after the Sunderland match, he said: "I think one of the positives is probably Trafford getting a clean sheet again away from home, [it] is important for him and I think he made some vital saves at certain moments as well, which shows how good he is and how good he can be and he will get better.

“What I’d like to see a bit more from him is talking and organising because obviously we don’t see that, we don’t hear that. I certainly had it when I was at Leeds with Nigel Martyn and Paul Robinson talking, organising.

“I think that’ll come with him and when that comes, he will be an even better player.”

Trafford will be confident that continued good performances for Leeds can put pressure on Jordan Pickford in the England squad. Trafford made is full internatioanl debut on March 27, in a friendly against Uruguay at Wembley Stadium, which finished 1-1.

Leeds are back on the road this weekend when they face a long trip south to face Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon.