Crossword Genius

Agent with fine material as substitute (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

replace

'substitute' is the definition.
(I know that substitute can be written as replace)

'agent with fine material' is the wordplay.
'agent' becomes 'rep' (short for representative).
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'fine material' becomes 'lace'.
'rep'+'lace'='REPLACE'

'as' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for replace that I've seen before include "Put back in original position" , "Substitute for (someone)" , "succeed" , "Provide a substitute for" , "Put something back where it belongs" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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