Seamer Atkinson Compounds England's Injury Concerns.
'Major setback' for England after Atkinson leaves the field suffering a hamstring problem.
Gus Atkinson further complicated the fitness woes of the England squad when he left the playing area during Saturday's play of the Boxing Day Test against Australia.
Atkinson pulled up with his left leg immediately following a delivery that he bowled during the morning session.
The England team reported the 27-year-old reported "discomfort" and required time off the field for further assessment "during the day".
The series decider of the series in Sydney gets underway at the end of the week.
The English side has been without fast bowlers Mark Wood due to knee trouble and another paceman with an abdominal strain on this Ashes tour.
A replacement bowler was brought into the squad as cover for Wood.
The seamer had a tough time in the opening two Tests, managing only a handful of scalps.
He was dropped for the Adelaide match, only to be brought back for the Boxing Day match as Archer's replacement.
Atkinson showed better form in Melbourne, bagging two scalps in Australia's first innings, then making 28 while batting among just a trio of teammates to get into double digits.
Following a brief spell in Australia's second innings, he returned the next day and dismissed the nightwatchman taken by the wicketkeeper.
However, at the end of that over, he sent down a slower ball to Travis Head and immediately felt for his hamstring.
Atkinson was brought back for the Boxing Day Test having missed the previous Test.
