Recruit with no space for ruse (4)
I believe the answer is:
ploy
'for ruse' is the definition.
(both can mean a trick or scheme)
'recruit with no space' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'no' could be 'o' (resembles 0 - 'no' can mean 'zero') and 'o' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'ply' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ploy that I've seen before include "Cunning manoeuvre to gain advantage" , "Tactical scheme" , "Device" , "Game manoeuvre" , "Cunning plan" .)