Crossword Genius

Doctor filling in locum roster (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

oculist

'doctor' is the definition.
(oculist is a kind of doctor)

'filling in locum roster' is the wordplay.
'filling in' says to take the centre (the content or filling of the word).
'roster' becomes 'list' (a roster is a register or list of people).
The central letters of 'locum' are 'ocu'.
'ocu'+'list'='OCULIST'

(Other definitions for oculist that I've seen before include "Specialist in treatment of the eyes" , "Pupils' examiner" , "Old-fashioned eye doctor" , "Visionary healer" , "Person of vision" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times and The Sunday Times.
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