Crossword Genius

Effect a cure for the bottom of the leg, I say (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

heal

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'effect a cure' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'bottom of the leg i say' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'i' could be 'a' and 'a' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'hel' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'for the' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for heal that I've seen before include "Cure, recover" , "Restore to health" , "Cure, mend" , "Cure, restore" , "Cure, make well" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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