Paceman Atkinson Exacerbates England's Injury Worries.
'Significant concern' for the English camp as Atkinson leaves the field suffering a hamstring problem.
The English seamer added to England's injury problems when he left the ground early on day two of the Boxing Day Test against Australia.
The pace bowler experienced discomfort in his hamstring post-delivery of the fourth over at the MCG.
The England team reported Atkinson had experienced "tightness" and was to take time off the field in order to be assessed "during the day".
The final Test of the series at the SCG starts on Sunday, 4 January.
The visitors have previously lost strike bowlers one seamer with a knee problem and another paceman to a side strain on the current trip.
Matthew Fisher was brought into the squad to provide backup.
Atkinson struggled in the opening two Tests, managing only a handful of scalps.
He was omitted of the third Test, only to be brought back for the Boxing Day match in the playing XI.
Atkinson showed better form in Melbourne, bagging two scalps in Australia's first innings, and scoring 28 runs with the bat as one of just three teammates to reach double figures.
Following a brief spell late on the first day, he returned for the second day's play and dismissed the nightwatchman taken by the wicketkeeper.
Yet, at the end of his spell, he bowled a slower ball to the batsman and immediately felt his left hamstring.
Gus Atkinson returned to the side for the fourth Ashes Test having missed of the third.