Country clubs in EU area with staff returning (7)

I believe the answer is:

ecuador

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'country' is the definition.
(Ecuador is an example)

'clubs in eu area with staff returning' is the wordplay.
'clubs' becomes 'c' (abbreviation used in card games such as bridge).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'area with' becomes 'a' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'staff' becomes 'rod' (both can mean a stick or cane).
'returning' is a reversal indicator.
'rod' backwards is 'dor'.
'c' placed into 'eu' is 'ecu'.
'ecu'+'a'+'dor'='ECUADOR'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ecuador that I've seen before include "Quito's country" , "The state capital is Quito" , "Country of the Galapagos Islands" , "Quito's nation" , "Where panama hats are made" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sunday Times.

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