Fast bowler Atkinson Exacerbates England's Injury Worries.
'Major setback' for England as Atkinson is forced off with a hamstring injury.
The English seamer further complicated the fitness woes of the England squad when he left the field early on day two of the fourth Ashes Test versus the Australians.
Atkinson felt a problem in his left hamstring immediately following a delivery of the fourth over during the morning session.
Team management stated the 27-year-old had experienced "tightness" and was to take time on the sidelines for further assessment "in the coming hours".
The series decider of the tour beginning on 4 January gets underway on Sunday, 4 January.
England have been without fast bowlers Mark Wood due to knee trouble and Jofra Archer because of a side injury on the current trip.
Matthew Fisher was added to the party to provide backup.
The seamer had a tough time in the opening two Tests, taking just a handful of scalps.
He was omitted of the third Test, only to be brought back for the Boxing Day match to fill the void.
The county bowler improved at the MCG, taking two wickets in Australia's first innings, then making 28 as a batsman as one of just three English batsmen to reach double figures.
After bowling one over late on the first day, he resumed for the second day's play and removed Scott Boland edging to the keeper.
Unfortunately, towards the conclusion of that over, he bowled 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 previous Test.
