Seamer Atkinson Exacerbates England's Fitness Problems.
'Major setback' for England after Atkinson is forced off suffering a hamstring problem.
The pace bowler further complicated the injury concerns plaguing England after leaving the field early on day two of the fourth Ashes Test in the Ashes series.
The right-arm seamer pulled up with his left hamstring immediately following a delivery that he bowled on Saturday.
The England team stated the 27-year-old had experienced "tightness" and was to take time on the sidelines to undergo evaluation "during the day".
The concluding match of the series at the SCG begins at the end of the week.
The visitors have already lost strike bowlers Mark Wood due to knee trouble and Jofra Archer with an abdominal strain on this Ashes tour.
Matthew Fisher was brought into the squad to provide backup.
Atkinson struggled during the first two matches, claiming a mere three wickets.
He was omitted of the third Test, only to be brought back for the fourth Test as Archer's replacement.
Surrey's Atkinson showed better form in Melbourne, claiming a couple of wickets with the ball, before adding 28 as a batsman being one of only three English batsmen to get into double digits.
Following a brief spell at the end of day one, he returned the next day and removed Scott Boland taken by the wicketkeeper.
Unfortunately, on the final ball of that over, he delivered a slower ball to the batsman and promptly felt at his leg.
Atkinson returned to the side for the Melbourne match after being left out the Adelaide game.
