Seamer Atkinson Adds to England's Fitness Concerns.
'Serious blow' for England as Atkinson is forced off due to a hamstring issue.
The English seamer increased the fitness woes of the England squad after leaving the field early on day two in the Melbourne Test versus the Australians.
The right-arm seamer felt a problem in his left hamstring immediately following a delivery that he bowled during the morning session.
Team management indicated the 27-year-old had experienced "tightness" and required time off the field in order to be assessed "during the day".
The series decider of the series in Sydney starts at the end of the week.
The visitors have been without fast bowlers Mark Wood with a knee problem and another paceman because of a side injury on this Ashes tour.
A replacement bowler was brought into the squad as injury reinforcement.
His form was underwhelming early in the series, claiming a mere a handful of scalps.
He was left out of the third Test, before being recalled for the fourth Test as Archer's replacement.
Atkinson performed better in the fourth Test, taking two wickets during the host's first knock, then making 28 with the bat among just a trio of England players to get into double digits.
Post a single over in Australia's second innings, he came back for the second day's play and had nightwatchman Scott Boland caught behind.
Unfortunately, at the end of the fifth over, he delivered a slower ball to the batsman and promptly felt his left hamstring.
The English bowler was recalled for the fourth Ashes Test after being left out the Adelaide game.