Keeps checks restricting irregular soldiers (7)

I believe the answer is:

retains

'keeps' is the definition.
('retain' can be a synonym of 'keep')

'checks restricting irregular soldiers' is the wordplay.
'checks' becomes 'reins' (reining is a kind of checking).
'restricting irregular' indicates putting letters inside (I've seen this in other clues).
'soldiers' becomes 'ta' (abbreviation for Territorial Army).
'reins' placed around 'ta' is 'RETAINS'.

(Another definition for retains that I've seen is " Holds back, keeps".)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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