Face laid on boot, loyal subordinate
I believe the answer is:
sidekick
'loyal subordinate' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?
'face laid on boot' is the wordplay.
'face' becomes 'side' ('side' can be a synonym of 'face').
'laid on' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'boot' becomes 'kick' ('kick' can be a synonym of 'boot').
'side'+'kick'='SIDEKICK'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for sidekick that I've seen before include "Close companion" , "Robin perhaps" , "personal assistant" , "Person's assistant" , "Assistant to a more dominant person (informal)" .)