Seamer Gus Atkinson Exacerbates the English team's Injury Worries.

Gus Atkinson further complicated the fitness woes of the England squad upon exiting the playing area early on day two of the Boxing Day Test against Australia.

Atkinson experienced discomfort in his hamstring after the final ball that he bowled at the MCG.

The touring camp indicated the 27-year-old felt some "soreness" and would spend time away from the action in order to be assessed "over the next few hours".

The series decider in this Ashes battle at the SCG begins on Sunday, 4 January.

The visitors have been without key quicks one seamer with a knee problem and another paceman because of a side injury on the current trip.

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

The seamer had a tough time during the first two matches, claiming a mere a handful of scalps.

He was dropped for the Adelaide match, only to be brought back for the Melbourne Test to fill the void.

Atkinson improved at the MCG, claiming a couple of wickets in Australia's first innings, before adding 28 with the bat among just a trio of English batsmen to reach double figures.

After bowling one over in Australia's second innings, he resumed for the second day's play and removed Scott Boland edging to the keeper.

However, on the final ball of his spell, he delivered a change of pace to Travis Head and immediately felt his left hamstring.