Some players take a long time dressing (7)
I believe the answer is:
bandage
'dressing' is the definition.
(dressing for a wound)
'some players take a long time' is the wordplay.
'some players' becomes 'band' (group playing music).
'take' says to put letters next to each other.
'a long time' becomes 'age' (an age is a period of time).
'band'+'age'='BANDAGE'
(Other definitions for bandage that I've seen before include "Wound dressing" , "Wrapping for wound" , "Cloth to cover injuries" , "Material for wound or injury" , "Wrap for a wound" .)