Saint to encourage doctor (7)

I believe the answer is:

surgeon

'doctor' is the definition.
(I know that doctor can be written as surgeon)

'saint to encourage' is the wordplay.
'saint' becomes 's'.
'to encourage' becomes 'urgeon' (urging on is a kind of encouraging).
's'+'urgeon'='SURGEON'

(Other definitions for surgeon that I've seen before include "One operating in theatre" , "Theatre operator" , "Medical practitioner - go nurse (anag)" , "Sawbones" , "Operating medical practitioner" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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