Footballer restored to team? (4)

I believe the answer is:

back

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'footballer' is the definition.
(back is a kind of footballer)

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for back that I've seen before include "Give support to; player" , "Returned" , "See 12" , "Rear surface of the body" , "Rear; spine" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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