Can occupant reform and rise? (7)

I believe the answer is:

sardine

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'can occupant' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't see how they can define each other.

'reform and rise?' is the wordplay.
'reform' is an anagram indicator (letters in a new form).
'and'+'rise'='andrise'
'andrise' is an anagram of 'SARDINE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sardine that I've seen before include "FRENCH FISH" , "Small pilchard" , "Rinsed a (anag) - fish" , "Young pilchard" , "Small fish, usually canned" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.

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