Rounding first of defenders, briefly follow winger (6)
I believe the answer is:
godwit
'winger' is the definition.
(godwit is a kind of bird)
I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for godwit that I've seen before include "Long-billed wader" , "Large wading bird" , "Flyer" , "Wader; do twig (anag.)" , "Long-legged northern shore bird" .)