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The English seamer increased the injury concerns plaguing England when he left the ground during Saturday's play of the fourth Ashes Test in the Ashes series.

Atkinson felt a problem in his hamstring post-delivery in his spell on Saturday.

The touring camp reported the 27-year-old reported "discomfort" and required time away from the action for further assessment "over the next few hours".

The series decider of the tour beginning on 4 January gets underway on Sunday, 4 January.

The English side has previously lost key quicks Mark Wood to a knee injury and another paceman with an abdominal strain on this Ashes tour.

A replacement bowler was added to the party as cover for Wood.

The seamer had a tough time in the opening two Tests, taking just three wickets.

He was omitted from the previous Test, before being recalled for the Melbourne Test to fill the void.

Atkinson performed better in the fourth Test, taking two wickets in Australia's first innings, and scoring 28 runs as a batsman as one of just three teammates to get into double digits.

Post a single over in Australia's second innings, he returned for the second day's play and removed Scott Boland Scott Boland caught behind.

Yet, at the end of that over, he delivered a variation to the batsman and immediately felt his left hamstring.