Figure to be in contention (3)
I believe the answer is:
ten
'figure' is the definition.
(I've seen this in other clues)
'in contention' is the wordplay.
'in' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'TEN' can be found hidden inside 'contention'.
'to be' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for ten that I've seen before include "X-WORD" , "Cardinal number" , "Very young" , "Figure" , "Dudley Moore/Bo Derek film" .)