Independent type - one entertained by left and right (5)
I believe the answer is:
loner
'independent' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for loner that I've seen before include "Person who prefers his own company" , "Hermit" , "Solitary type" , "Introvert" , "Isolated individual" .)