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Gus Atkinson further complicated the fitness woes of the England squad when he left the ground early on day two of the fourth Ashes Test against Australia.

Atkinson experienced discomfort in his hamstring post-delivery of the fourth over at the MCG.

Team management indicated Atkinson had experienced "tightness" and would spend time off the field in order to be assessed "in the coming hours".

The final Test in this Ashes battle in Sydney gets underway this coming Sunday.

The English side has been without fast bowlers one seamer with a knee problem and Jofra Archer with an abdominal strain during this series.

Matthew Fisher was brought into the squad as injury reinforcement.

Atkinson struggled during the first two matches, taking just a handful of scalps.

He was left out for the Adelaide match, only to be brought back for the fourth Test in the playing XI.

Atkinson performed better in the fourth Test, bagging two scalps during the host's first knock, and scoring 28 runs while batting as one of just three teammates to reach double figures.

Post a single over at the end of day one, he came back for the second day's play and had nightwatchman edging to the keeper.

However, on the final ball of the fifth over, he bowled a slower ball to the batsman and promptly felt his left hamstring.