Hobble without head hobgoblin (3)
I believe the answer is:
imp
'hobgoblin' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'hobble without head' is the wordplay.
'hobble' becomes 'limp' (synonyms).
'without head' means to remove the first letter.
'limp' with its first letter taken off is 'IMP'.
(Other definitions for imp that I've seen before include "Malicious spirit" , "Wicked spirit" , "Small demon" , "one likely to cause trouble" , "Rascal" .)