'Major setback' for England as Atkinson goes off suffering a hamstring problem.
The English seamer increased England's injury problems upon exiting the playing area early on day two of the fourth Ashes Test against Australia.
Atkinson felt a problem in his hamstring post-delivery in his spell during the morning session.
The touring camp reported the 27-year-old had experienced "tightness" and required time on the sidelines in order to be assessed "over the next few hours".
The series decider of the tour in Sydney gets underway on Sunday, 4 January.
The English side has previously lost fast bowlers Mark Wood to a knee injury and Jofra Archer because of a side injury on the current trip.
Matthew Fisher was added to the party as injury reinforcement.
Atkinson struggled during the first two matches, managing only three wickets.
He was omitted from the previous Test, before being recalled for the Melbourne Test in the playing XI.
Atkinson improved at the MCG, claiming a couple of wickets during the host's first knock, before adding 28 as a batsman among just a trio of England players to get into double digits.
After bowling one over at the end of day one, he returned the next day and dismissed the nightwatchman Scott Boland caught behind.
Unfortunately, at the end of that over, he delivered a variation to the batsman and immediately felt his left hamstring.
The English bowler was brought back for the fourth Ashes Test after being left out the previous Test.
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