Crossword Genius

Football player, male with little energy and out of view (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

backstage

'out of view' is the definition.
(not visible to the audience)

'football player male with little energy' is the wordplay.
'football player' becomes 'back' (back is a kind of football player).
'male' becomes 'stag' (a stag is a male deer).
'with' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'little energy' becomes 'e' (physics symbol as in E=mc2. I am not sure about the 'little' bit.).
'back'+'stag'+'e'='BACKSTAGE'

'and' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for backstage that I've seen before include "out of the limelight" , "dressing room area" , "away from public view" , "Behind the scenes (theatrically)" , "Wings etc" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app