FORMER Cherries midfielder Christian Atsu has reportedly been "trapped" in the earthquakes which hit Turkey and Syria on Monday.

The 31-year-old Ghana international, now playing his football with Turkish Super Lig side Hatayspor, was said to be missing after teammates and members of the club’s technical staff had reportedly been pulled from rubble.

Atsu scored a stoppage-time winner for Hatayspor last night as they defeated Kasimpasa 1-0 in Antakya.

Atsu made two appearances for Cherries under Eddie Howe, whilst on loan from Chelsea in the 2015-16 campaign.

Cherries, another of Atsu's former clubs, Newcastle United, and the FA of his national side Ghana has taken to social media to post messages, offering their prayers he is found safely.

A 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit south-eastern Turkey and northern Syria during the early hours of Monday morning followed by a second of 7.5.

At the time of writing, around 1,700 people are known to have died in the border region with rescue teams searching for survivors.

At 2.24pm (UK time), journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu, of Turkish outlet VOLE, said Atsu was still yet to be found.