Newcastle United say they are “praying for some positive news” amid reports that their former player Christian Atsu is among those trapped under rubble following this morning’s earthquake in Turkey.

A number of players for Turkish club Hatayspor were reported by local media to be missing or under the debris following the quake, among them Atsu.

Ghanaian international Atsu, 31, played for Newcastle between 2016 and 2021.

More than 1,800 people have died after a huge earthquake, with destruction wrought on parts of Turkey and northern Syria.

As worries increased for the winger, the Tyneside club tweeted: “Praying for some positive news, @ChristianAtsu20” alongside a picture of him.

Atsu was part of the Magpies team which won promotion back to the Premier League in 2017 after joining on loan for the season from Chelsea, and later completed a permanent move.

Atsu, who scored deep into stoppage time on Saturday to secure a 1-0 win over Kasimpasa, left St James’ Park during the summer of 2021 after making 121 appearances for the club.

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