Fast bowler Atkinson Compounds England's Fitness Concerns.
'Serious blow' for the touring side after Atkinson goes off suffering a hamstring problem.
The pace bowler further complicated the fitness woes of the England squad when he left the playing area on the second morning in the Melbourne Test against Australia.
Atkinson experienced discomfort in his hamstring immediately following a delivery of the fourth over at the MCG.
The touring camp indicated the 27-year-old reported "discomfort" and required time off the field for further assessment "during the day".
The final Test of the series in Sydney gets underway on Sunday, 4 January.
England have been without strike bowlers Mark Wood due to knee trouble and Jofra Archer to a side strain during this series.
A replacement bowler was brought into the squad to provide backup.
His form was underwhelming during the first two matches, taking just a handful of scalps.
He was dropped of the third Test, only to be brought back for the Boxing Day match in the playing XI.
The county bowler performed better in the fourth Test, taking two wickets during the host's first knock, and scoring 28 runs while batting among just a trio of England players to get into double digits.
Following a brief spell in Australia's second innings, he returned on Saturday morning and dismissed the nightwatchman taken by the wicketkeeper.
Yet, at the end of his spell, he delivered a change of pace to Travis Head and suddenly grabbed at his leg.
Gus Atkinson returned to the side for the Boxing Day Test after being left out of the third.
