Crossword Genius

Road sorely needing repair at the outset (5,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

early doors

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'the outset' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I cannot judge whether it can be defined by this definition.

'road sorely needing repair' is the wordplay.
'needing repair' indicates an anagram (I've seen 'need of repair' mean this).
'road'+'sorely'='roadsorely'
'roadsorely' is an anagram of 'EARLY DOORS'.

'at' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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