Crossword Genius

Call student support, upset (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dial

'call' is the definition.
(as in making a phone call)

'student support upset' is the wordplay.
'student' becomes 'L' (as in L-plates for learner drivers).
'support' becomes 'aid' (to aid is to help or support).
'upset' is a reversal indicator.
'l'+'aid'='laid'
'laid' written backwards gives 'DIAL'.

(Other definitions for dial that I've seen before include "Laid up like clock-face" , "Face of a timepiece" , "Clock face" , "Ring the clock-face" , "Watch face" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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