Crossword Genius

Any role played close to the start (5,2)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

early on

'close to the start' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'any role played' is the wordplay.
'played' indicates anagramming the letters (letters playing around).
'any'+'role'='anyrole'
'anyrole' anagrammed gives 'EARLY ON'.

(Other definitions for early on that I've seen before include "Towards the beginning" , "right at the start" , "In the first stages" , "Before much time has elapsed" , "while still young?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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