Helps Saint to enter Saint's city? Not I (7)

I believe the answer is:

assists

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'helps' is the definition.
(assisting is a kind of helping)

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for assists that I've seen before include "Aids" , "Helps or waits on" , "Contributes to success" , "Provides" , "Lends a hand" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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