It may need stroking
I believe the answer is:
ego
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">it may need stroking</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">(I've seen this in another clue)</span><br/ ><br/ >This is the entire clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for ego that I've seen before include "Self-esteem, conceit" , "Selfishness" , "See 21 Down" , "Conscious mind" , "(Self-assertive) personality" .)