Len had to return and to help (4,1,4)
I believe the answer is:
lend a hand
'help' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'len had to return and' is the wordplay.
'to return' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'had' reversed gives 'dah'.
'len'+'dah'+'and'='LEND A HAND'
'to' is the link.
(Other definitions for lend a hand that I've seen before include "Provide help" , "temporarily transfer an employee" , "To assist" , "Give assistance" , "Pitch in" .)