'Significant concern' for the English camp after Atkinson leaves the field due to a hamstring issue.
The pace bowler increased England's injury problems upon exiting the ground early on day two of the Boxing Day Test versus the Australians.
Atkinson felt a problem in his left hamstring post-delivery that he bowled during the morning session.
The touring camp indicated Atkinson had experienced "tightness" and was to take time away from the action for further assessment "over the next few hours".
The series decider in this Ashes battle in Sydney gets underway this coming Sunday.
The English side has already lost strike bowlers one seamer to a knee injury and Jofra Archer to a side strain on this Ashes tour.
A replacement bowler was added to the party to provide backup.
The seamer had a tough time during the first two matches, claiming a mere a handful of scalps.
He was omitted for the Adelaide match, before being recalled for the Melbourne Test as Archer's replacement.
Surrey's Atkinson showed better form in Melbourne, bagging two scalps in Australia's first innings, before adding 28 with the bat being one of only three teammates to reach double figures.
Following a brief spell at the end of day one, he resumed for the second day's play and dismissed the nightwatchman edging to the keeper.
Unfortunately, towards the conclusion of the fifth over, he bowled 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 Adelaide game.
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