Seamer Gus Atkinson Compounds England's Fitness Problems.
'Serious blow' for the touring side after Atkinson goes off with a hamstring injury.
The English seamer increased the fitness woes of the England squad 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 hamstring after the final ball that he bowled during the morning session.
The England team reported the 27-year-old reported "discomfort" and required time off the field to undergo evaluation "over the next few hours".
The concluding match of the series in Sydney begins on Sunday, 4 January.
The English side has already lost key quicks Mark Wood with a knee problem and Jofra Archer because of a side injury during this series.
Matthew Fisher was called up to provide backup.
Atkinson struggled during the first two matches, managing only a handful of scalps.
He was left out from the previous Test, then recalled for the Melbourne Test in the playing XI.
Atkinson performed better in the fourth Test, bagging two scalps in Australia's first innings, then making 28 while batting among just a trio of teammates to reach double figures.
Following a brief spell at the end of day one, he came back the next day and dismissed the nightwatchman edging to the keeper.
However, on the final ball of his spell, he bowled a change of pace to the batsman and promptly felt his left hamstring.
Gus Atkinson returned to the side for the Boxing Day Test following his omission of the third.
