After spring, linked together having friends in high places (4-9)
I believe the answer is:
well-connected
'having friends in high places' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'after spring linked together' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'spring' could be 'well' (both can mean a source of water) and 'well' is located in the answer.
'linked' could be 'connected' ('connect' can be a synonym of 'link') and 'connected' is present in the answer.
No letters remain.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for well-connected that I've seen before include "Knowing influential people" , "With eminent contacts" , "Having influential friends" , "Having friends in high places" , "Having influential associates" .)