Crossword Genius

Little sweeper turned Ian Rush - initially left back's taken in (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

nailbrush

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

'little sweeper' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?

'turned ian rush initially left back's taken in' is the wordplay.
'turned' is a reversal indicator.
'initially' suggests taking the first letters.
'taken in' is an insertion indicator.
The first letters of 'left backs' is 'lb'.
'ian' reversed gives 'nai'.
'nai'+'rush'='nairush'
'nairush' placed around 'lb' is 'NAILBRUSH'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for nailbrush that I've seen before include "Cleaner" , "Cleaning device" , "Scrubber" , "Shun Blair (anag)" , "Item used in manicure" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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