Fast bowler Atkinson Compounds England's Fitness Problems.
'Major setback' for the touring side after Atkinson is forced off suffering a hamstring problem.
Gus Atkinson increased the fitness woes of the England squad upon exiting the playing area during Saturday's play in the Melbourne Test in the Ashes series.
The pace bowler felt a problem in his left hamstring after the final ball of the fourth over on Saturday.
Team management indicated the 27-year-old reported "discomfort" and would spend time off the field for further assessment "over the next few hours".
The final Test in this Ashes battle at the SCG begins on Sunday, 4 January.
The English side has already lost strike bowlers one seamer to a knee injury and another paceman because of a side injury on this Ashes tour.
Matthew Fisher was brought into the squad to provide backup.
His form was underwhelming in the opening two Tests, taking just a handful of scalps.
He was left out from the previous Test, only to be brought back for the Melbourne Test to fill the void.
The county bowler showed better form in Melbourne, taking two wickets in Australia's first innings, and scoring 28 runs 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 resumed the next day and had nightwatchman edging to the keeper.
Yet, towards the conclusion of his spell, he delivered a slower ball to the batsman and suddenly grabbed at his leg.
The English bowler was brought back for the Melbourne match following his omission the Adelaide game.
