Sappers regularly working to make stage (5)
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" .)