Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe is hopeful former player Christian Atsu will be found from the wreckage in the violent earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria on Monday.
The Ghanaian winger – who currently players for Turkish Super Lig Hatayspor is yet to be recovered after being trapped in the rubble from the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that has so far killed more than 20,000 people and injured a further 74,000 injured.
It was earlier reported by Hatayspor vice president Mustafa Ozat that Atsu had been found and pulled out of the rubble but tracked backed on those comments, revealing there was no trace of Atsu in any hospital or facility. He remains unrecovered along with Hatayspor technical director Taner Savut.
Atsu previously played under Howe at Bournemouth during the 2015-16 season on loan from Chelsea and the English tactician has described the current situation as very worrying.
“It’s Hugely worrying. I really enjoyed working with Christian [at Bournemouth]. He’s a great lad and a great player,” Howe said ahead of his reunion with Bournemouth this weekend.
“Our thoughts are with him and his family. We hope for some good news, we hope he is OK. We have been really concerned for him and his welfare this week.
“It’s difficult because there have been conflicting stories coming out about his whereabouts so it’s been very tough. I can’t imagine how his family are feeling but from the bottom of our hearts we wish him well and hope there’s a positive ending.”
🎙 Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media this morning.
On Christian Atsu:
"It's hugely worrying. I really enjoyed working with Christian [at Bournemouth]. He's a great lad and a great player. Our thoughts are with him and his family. We hope for some good news." pic.twitter.com/uKX1CKYv1p
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 10, 2023
Atsu partner, Claire Rupio, expressed her displeasure over how the news surrounding his whereabouts have been handled. She is however confident he is still breathing under the rubble.
“The last time he spoke to us was on Saturday morning, It’s just surprising for his club to confirm he’s been found and after 11 hours we hear something different, but I trust and still believe he’s alive.” Rupi told BBC Sport Africa.
Atsu was on the books of Newcastle between 2016 and 2021, first on loan before being made permanent in 2017. He played 121 times for the Magpies, scoring eight goals and providing 10 assists.
