Crossword Genius

News coming back about old soldier (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

trooper

'soldier' is the definition.
(trooper is a kind of soldier)

'news coming back about old' is the wordplay.
'news' becomes 'report' (report is a kind of news).
'coming back' is a reversal indicator.
'about' is an insertion indicator.
'old' becomes 'o' (common abbreviation eg in OE for Old English).
'report' backwards is 'troper'.
'troper' enclosing 'o' is 'TROOPER'.

(Other definitions for trooper that I've seen before include "Cavalryman" , "Proverbially swearing soldier" , "Cavalry soldier" , "He swears" , "Private soldier" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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