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Spies Lee in with the model, most comatose (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sleepiest

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'most comatose' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are superlative adjectives. Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'spies lee in with the model' is the wordplay.
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'with' says to put letters next to each other.
'the model' becomes 't' (Ford Model T car).
'spies' enclosing 'lee' is 'sleepies'.
'sleepies'+'t'='SLEEPIEST'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sleepiest that I've seen before include "more tired than anyone else" , "most lethargic" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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