Friend in the country? (5)
I believe the answer is:
china
I believe this is a double definition.
'friend' is the first definition.
(cockney rhyming slang, mate is china plate)
'the country' is the second definition.
(China is a country)
'in' is the link.
(Other definitions for china that I've seen before include "Fine white ceramic" , "It's fragile, though its economy is not!" , "Household tableware" , "Ceramic material" , "Friend (rhyming slang)" .)