So looking a bit red and tender (4)
I believe the answer is:
sore
'tender' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'so looking a bit red' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'so' is present in the answer.
'red' could be 'r' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'r' is located in the answer.
A single letter 'e' remains which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
'and' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for sore that I've seen before include "Painful, aching; urgent" , "Aching; severe" , "Wound; painful" , "Irritated or painful" , "Hard" .)