Seamer Atkinson Compounds England's Injury Worries.
'Major setback' for England as Atkinson goes off suffering a hamstring problem.
The English seamer added to the fitness woes of the England squad when he left the playing area during Saturday's play of the Boxing Day Test against Australia.
The right-arm seamer experienced discomfort in his left leg immediately following a delivery in his spell at the MCG.
The touring camp stated Atkinson reported "discomfort" and would spend time on the sidelines in order to be assessed "over the next few hours".
The series decider of the tour at the SCG begins at the end of the week.
The visitors have been without fast bowlers Mark Wood with a knee problem and another paceman with an abdominal strain during this series.
Matthew Fisher was added to the party as cover for Wood.
His form was underwhelming early in the series, managing only a handful of scalps.
He was left out of the third Test, only to be brought back for the fourth Test as Archer's replacement.
Atkinson showed better form in Melbourne, taking two wickets during the host's first knock, before adding 28 as a batsman among just a trio of teammates to reach double figures.
After bowling one over at the end of day one, he came back on Saturday morning and removed Scott Boland edging to the keeper.
Unfortunately, towards the conclusion of his spell, he bowled a change of pace to the batsman and immediately felt for his hamstring.
Atkinson returned to the side for the Melbourne match having missed the Adelaide game.
