Crossword Genius

Climber wants a spike returned (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

liana

'climber' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'a spike returned' is the wordplay.
'spike' becomes 'nail' (I've seen this before).
'returned' is a reversal indicator.
'a'+'nail'='anail'
'anail' written backwards gives 'LIANA'.

'wants' is the link.

(Other definitions for liana that I've seen before include "Woody climbing tropical plant -- a nail (anag)" , "Woody forest climber" , "Jungle climber" , "Jungle creeper" , "Woody climbing (usually tropical) plant" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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