Fast bowler Atkinson Adds to England's Fitness Problems.
'Serious blow' for the English camp after Atkinson leaves the field due to a hamstring issue.
The English seamer increased the injury concerns plaguing England upon exiting the playing area during Saturday's play in the Melbourne Test against Australia.
The right-arm seamer felt a problem in his left hamstring post-delivery of the fourth over during the morning session.
The touring camp reported the 27-year-old felt some "soreness" and required time away from the action for further assessment "in the coming hours".
The final Test of the series in Sydney gets underway at the end of the week.
The English side has previously lost key quicks Mark Wood due to knee trouble and another paceman because of a side injury on this Ashes tour.
Matthew Fisher was brought into the squad as cover for Wood.
The seamer had a tough time early in the series, taking just three wickets.
He was dropped of the third Test, only to be brought back for the fourth Test in the playing XI.
Atkinson showed better form in Melbourne, claiming a couple of wickets in Australia's first innings, then making 28 as a batsman being one of only three English batsmen to reach double figures.
Following a brief spell at the end of day one, he returned the next day and removed Scott Boland edging to the keeper.
Unfortunately, on the final ball of that over, he sent down a slower ball to Travis Head and promptly felt his left hamstring.
Atkinson was recalled for the Boxing Day Test after being left out the previous Test.
