Paceman Gus Atkinson Adds to England's Fitness Concerns.
'Serious blow' for England as Atkinson is forced off suffering a hamstring problem.
Gus Atkinson added to the fitness woes of the England squad upon exiting the field on the second morning of the Boxing Day Test in the Ashes series.
The pace bowler pulled up with his left hamstring after the final ball in his spell at the MCG.
Team management reported the 27-year-old had experienced "tightness" and would spend time off the field to undergo evaluation "during the day".
The series decider of the tour at the SCG begins on Sunday, 4 January.
The visitors have been without strike bowlers one seamer to a knee injury and Jofra Archer with an abdominal strain on this Ashes tour.
A replacement bowler was brought into the squad as cover for Wood.
Atkinson struggled in the opening two Tests, managing only a handful of scalps.
He was dropped from the previous Test, then recalled for the fourth Test in the playing XI.
Atkinson performed better in the fourth Test, taking two wickets during the host's first knock, before adding 28 as a batsman among just a trio of English batsmen who passed ten runs.
Post a single over in Australia's second innings, he resumed the next day and dismissed the nightwatchman taken by the wicketkeeper.
However, towards the conclusion of his spell, he bowled a change of pace to the batsman and promptly felt for his hamstring.
The English bowler was brought back for the Melbourne match after being left out the Adelaide game.
