Former England footballer is type absorbed by victories (7)

I believe the answer is:

wilkins

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'former england footballer' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'type absorbed by victories' is the wordplay.
'type' becomes 'ilk' (ilk can mean a type or kind).
'absorbed by' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'victories' becomes 'wins' (I've seen this in another clue).
'ilk' inserted into 'wins' is 'WILKINS'.

'is' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for wilkins that I've seen is " -- Micawber (Dickens)".)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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