Crossword Genius

Expected back around ten initially - English study (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

etude

'study' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'expected back around ten initially english' is the wordplay.
'expected' becomes 'due' (similar in meaning).
'back' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'around' is an insertion indicator.
'initially' says to take the initial letters.
'english' becomes 'e' (abbreviation).
The first letter of 'ten' is 't'.
'due' back-to-front is 'eud'.
'eud' placed around 't' is 'etud'.
'etud'+'e'='ETUDE'

(Other definitions for etude that I've seen before include "Short composition for a solo instrument" , "Indian statesman" , "Short piece of music for solo instrument" , "(Musical) study" , "A short musical exercise" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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