Seamer Atkinson Compounds the English team's Injury Problems.

'Major setback' for England as Atkinson is forced off suffering a hamstring problem.

The pace bowler further complicated the fitness woes of the England squad after leaving the field on the second morning of the fourth Ashes Test against Australia.

Atkinson experienced discomfort in his hamstring post-delivery that he bowled at the MCG.

Team management reported the 27-year-old felt some "soreness" and would spend time off the field to undergo evaluation "during the day".

The concluding match in this Ashes battle in Sydney begins at the end of the week.

The English side has previously lost fast bowlers Mark Wood due to knee trouble and another paceman with an abdominal strain on this Ashes tour.

A replacement bowler was called up as injury reinforcement.

His form was underwhelming in the opening two Tests, managing only a handful of scalps.

He was dropped of the third Test, only to be brought back for the fourth Test as Archer's replacement.

Surrey's Atkinson performed better in the fourth Test, bagging two scalps with the ball, before adding 28 as a batsman as one of just three teammates to reach double figures.

Following a brief spell in Australia's second innings, he returned for the second day's play and dismissed the nightwatchman edging to the keeper.

However, at the end of the fifth over, he delivered a variation to Travis Head and immediately felt his left hamstring.