Seamer Gus Atkinson Compounds England's Fitness Concerns.

'Major setback' for England as Atkinson goes off with a hamstring injury.

Gus Atkinson increased the fitness woes of the England squad upon exiting the playing area on the second morning of the fourth Ashes Test against Australia.

The right-arm seamer felt a problem in his hamstring post-delivery of the fourth over at the MCG.

Team management stated the 27-year-old reported "discomfort" and was to take time on the sidelines for further assessment "during the day".

The concluding match in this Ashes battle in Sydney begins this coming Sunday.

The English side has been without fast bowlers Mark Wood with a knee problem and another paceman with an abdominal strain during this series.

A replacement bowler was brought into the squad as cover for Wood.

His form was underwhelming in the opening two Tests, taking just a handful of scalps.

He was left out from the previous Test, only to be brought back for the Melbourne Test in the playing XI.

The county bowler improved at the MCG, bagging two scalps during the host's first knock, and scoring 28 runs while batting being one of only three England players who passed ten runs.

Following a brief spell in Australia's second innings, he resumed the next day and had nightwatchman edging to the keeper.

However, towards the conclusion of the fifth over, he delivered a slower ball to the batsman and suddenly grabbed at his leg.