Newcomer gaining ground? (4-7)

'newcomer' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'gaining ground?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'ground?' could be 'land' ('land' can be a synonym of 'ground') and 'land' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'grabber' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...