Seamer Atkinson Compounds the English team's Fitness Problems.
'Serious blow' for England after Atkinson is forced off due to a hamstring issue.
The English seamer increased the fitness woes of the England squad after leaving the ground during Saturday's play in the Melbourne Test versus the Australians.
The right-arm seamer experienced discomfort in his hamstring post-delivery of the fourth over at the MCG.
Team management indicated Atkinson felt some "soreness" and required time away from the action in order to be assessed "during the day".
The series decider of the tour beginning on 4 January gets underway on Sunday, 4 January.
England have previously lost fast bowlers Mark Wood to a knee injury and another paceman because of a side injury on this Ashes tour.
A replacement bowler was called up to provide backup.
Atkinson struggled during the first two matches, taking just three wickets.
He was omitted of the third Test, then recalled for the Melbourne Test in the playing XI.
The county bowler improved at the MCG, bagging two scalps with the ball, before adding 28 while batting among just a trio of teammates who passed ten runs.
Following a brief spell in Australia's second innings, he resumed on Saturday morning and had nightwatchman Scott Boland caught behind.
Yet, at the end of that over, he delivered a slower ball to Travis Head and immediately felt his left hamstring.
The English bowler was recalled for the Melbourne match having missed of the third.
