Seamer Atkinson Adds to the English team's Injury Worries.
'Significant concern' for England as Atkinson goes off with a hamstring injury.
The pace bowler added to the injury concerns plaguing England upon exiting the playing area on the second morning of the Boxing Day Test in the Ashes series.
The right-arm seamer pulled up with his left leg after the final ball in his spell at the MCG.
Team management stated Atkinson had experienced "tightness" and would spend time on the sidelines for further assessment "during the day".
The series decider in this Ashes battle in Sydney begins on Sunday, 4 January.
The visitors have been without strike bowlers Mark Wood with a knee problem and Jofra Archer with an abdominal strain on this Ashes tour.
A replacement bowler was called up as cover for Wood.
Atkinson struggled during the first two matches, managing only three wickets.
He was omitted for the Adelaide match, then recalled for the fourth Test as Archer's replacement.
Atkinson performed better in the fourth Test, taking two wickets with the ball, before adding 28 as a batsman being one of only three teammates who passed ten runs.
Following a brief spell at the end of day one, he returned the next day and dismissed the nightwatchman Scott Boland caught behind.
Unfortunately, towards the conclusion of his spell, he delivered a slower ball to the batsman and promptly felt for his hamstring.
The English bowler returned to the side for the fourth Ashes Test having missed of the third.