Crossword Genius

English playmaker has heart, not retreating (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

middleton

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'english playmaker' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'heart not retreating' is the wordplay.
'heart' becomes 'middle' (synonyms).
'retreating' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'not' reversed gives 'ton'.
'middle'+'ton'='MIDDLETON'

'has' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for middleton that I've seen is " Dramatist".)

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