Meets earl, back in high regard (6)
I believe the answer is:
esteem
'high regard' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'meets earl back' is the wordplay.
'earl' becomes 'e'.
'back' is a reversal indicator.
'meets'+'e'='meetse'
'meetse' written backwards gives 'ESTEEM'.
'in' is the link.
(Other definitions for esteem that I've seen before include "gain respect" , "Revere - prize" , "Favourable regard" , "Hold in deference and respect" , "Consider" .)