Redcap initially stopped guards in need of evening out (7)
I believe the answer is:
creased
'need of evening out' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'redcap initially stopped guards' is the wordplay.
'redcap initially' becomes 'r' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'stopped' becomes 'ceased' ('cease' can be a synonym of 'stop').
'guards' is an insertion indicator (inserted letters are guarded).
'r' placed into 'ceased' is 'CREASED'.
'in' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for creased that I've seen before include "Groovy" , "Needing ironing" , "Folded" , "Crumpled - red case (anag)" , "Wrinkled, rumpled" .)