Return to compete, securing record by end of April (7)
I believe the answer is:
replace
'return' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
'compete securing record by end of april' is the wordplay.
'compete' becomes 'race' (racing is a kind of competing).
'securing' indicates putting letters inside.
'record by' becomes 'ep' (abbreviation for extended play record. I am not sure about the 'by' bit.).
'end of' suggests the final letters.
The last letter of 'april' is 'l'.
'ep'+'l'='epl'
'race' going around 'epl' is 'REPLACE'.
'to' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for replace that I've seen before include "Put back in original position" , "succeed" , "Put back or substitute" , "Substitute for (someone)" , "Substitute, supersede" .)