Crossword Genius

Old flame I'll, after picking up, send to Coventry? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

exile

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'send to coventry?' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'old flame i'll after picking up' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'old' could be 'ex' (prefix meaning former or onetime) and 'ex' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'ile' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for exile that I've seen before include "Person forced to live abroad" , "Expel from home or country" , "Person forced from country" , "One barred from their native country" , "Ousted person" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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