Protector, defender (8)
I believe the answer is:
guardian
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'protector' is the first definition.
(I know that protector can be written as guardian)
'defender' is the second definition.
(I know that defender can be written as guardian)
(Other definitions for guardian that I've seen before include "Protector, keeper" , "Champion - paper" , "Caretaker" , "Daily newspaper" , "One in loco parentis" .)