Crossword Genius

Sappers regularly working to make stage (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

apron

'stage' is the definition.
(I know that apron is a type of stage)

'sappers regularly working' is the wordplay.
'regularly' indicates alternate letters (regularly take one letter, leave next etc.).
'working' becomes 'on' (e.g. a machine is working or on).
The alternating letters of 'sappers' are 'apr'.
'apr'+'on'='APRON'

'to make' is the link.

(Other definitions for apron that I've seen before include "edge" , "Domestic protection" , "Cook's garment" , "Front stage; protective garment" , "Part of stage, boxing ring or airport terminal" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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