Crossword Genius

Person away from work playing soccer? (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

striker

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

'person' is the definition.
(striker is a kind of person)

'away from work playing soccer?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'work' could be 'strike' (striking is a kind of working) and 'strike' is found within the answer.
A single letter 'r' remains 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 striker that I've seen before include "Batsman facing bowler" , "Goalscorer" , "Soccer player whose main function is to score goals" , "Worker engaged in official anti-employer action" , "Perhaps a match" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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