Fast bowler Gus Atkinson Compounds the English team's Fitness Worries.

The English seamer added to the fitness woes of the England squad after leaving the ground on the second morning of the Boxing Day Test in the Ashes series.

The right-arm seamer experienced discomfort in his left leg after the final ball that he bowled at the MCG.

The touring camp reported the 27-year-old reported "discomfort" and would spend time away from the action in order to be assessed "during the day".

The final Test of the tour in Sydney gets underway at the end of the week.

The English side has already lost fast bowlers one seamer to a knee injury and another paceman to a side strain on the current trip.

Matthew Fisher was added to the party as cover for Wood.

Atkinson struggled early in the series, taking just a handful of scalps.

He was dropped for the Adelaide match, then recalled for the Boxing Day match in the playing XI.

Surrey's Atkinson showed better form in Melbourne, taking two wickets with the ball, and scoring 28 runs while batting being one of only three English batsmen to reach double figures.

Post a single over at the end of day one, he returned on Saturday morning and removed Scott Boland edging to the keeper.

Unfortunately, at the end of his spell, he delivered a slower ball to Travis Head and promptly felt his left hamstring.