Need a centre-forward, a six footer (4)
I believe the answer is:
want
'need' is the definition.
(I know that want is a type of need)
'a centre-forward a six footer' is the wordplay.
'a centre' means to look at the middle letters.
'a six footer' becomes 'ant' (an ant has six feet).
The middle letter of 'forward' is 'w'.
'w'+'ant'='WANT'
(Other definitions for want that I've seen before include "Wish" , "Desire - deficiency" , "Lack, desire" , "'Wilful waste makes woeful . . . .'" , "Crave" .)