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Needing a wash, being a messy eater? (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

grubby

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'eater?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how they can define each other.

I can't explain the rest of the clue.

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(Other definitions for grubby that I've seen before include "Dirty or unwashed, as urchin may be" , "Soiled" , "Dirty, grimy" , "Dirty, could do with with a wash" , "Squalid" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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