Crossword Genius

Len -- meet troubled Al, maybe (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

element

'al maybe' is the definition.
(I know that Al is a type of metal)

'len meet troubled' is the wordplay.
'troubled' is an anagram indicator.
'len'+'meet'='lenmeet'
'lenmeet' is an anagram of 'ELEMENT'.

(Other definitions for element that I've seen before include "Constituent -- habitat" , "Fire (or part of one)" , "lead, for example" , "Component - habitat" , "Singular ingredient" .)

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