Seamer Atkinson Compounds England's Injury Worries.
'Major setback' for the touring side after Atkinson leaves the field due to a hamstring issue.
The English seamer increased England's injury problems upon exiting the ground early on day two in the Melbourne Test in the Ashes series.
The right-arm seamer felt a problem in his left hamstring immediately following a delivery in his spell at the MCG.
The touring camp indicated the 27-year-old felt some "soreness" and required time on the sidelines for further assessment "in the coming hours".
The series decider of the tour in Sydney gets underway this coming Sunday.
The English side has already lost key quicks Mark Wood with a knee problem and another paceman to a side strain on this Ashes tour.
A replacement bowler was called up to provide backup.
Atkinson struggled early in the series, claiming a mere a handful of scalps.
He was left out for the Adelaide match, then recalled for the Boxing Day match to fill the void.
Atkinson performed better in the fourth Test, bagging two scalps in Australia's first innings, and scoring 28 runs as a batsman as one of just three teammates to get into double digits.
Following a brief spell at the end of day one, he returned for the second day's play and removed Scott Boland Scott Boland caught behind.
Yet, on the final ball of his spell, he sent down a change of pace to Travis Head and immediately felt his left hamstring.
The English bowler was brought back for the Boxing Day Test following his omission the previous Test.
