Crossword Genius

Mike's gone back in lead perhaps (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

metal

'lead perhaps' is the definition.
(lead is a metal)

'mike's gone back' is the wordplay.
'mike' becomes 'M' (phonetic alphabet: alpha, bravo, charlie etc.).
'gone' becomes 'late' (both can mean dead).
'back' is a reversal indicator.
'late' backwards is 'etal'.
'm'+'etal'='METAL'

'in' is the link.

(Other definitions for metal that I've seen before include "Broken stone used in road-making" , "Lead or iron, perhaps" , "Eg, copper" , "Solid material, a good conductor of heat and electricity" , "Tin, for example" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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