Crossword Genius

Hunter due back left in time (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

eagle

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'hunter' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'due back left in time' is the wordplay.
'back' says to take the final letters.
'left' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'in time' becomes 'elga' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
The last letter of 'due' is 'e'.
'elga' written backwards gives 'agle'.
'e'+'agle'='EAGLE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for eagle that I've seen before include "Bald, golden, bird" , "Symbolic American bird" , "two strokes fewer?" , "King of birds" , "kind of bird" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app