State ... "Leave some starchy cereal!" (4)

I believe the answer is:

sago

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'some starchy cereal' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'state leave' is the wordplay.
'state' becomes 'sa' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'leave' becomes 'go'.
'sa'+'go'='SAGO'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sago that I've seen before include "Cereal, used in pudding" , "Starchy pudding cereal" , "dessert?" , "Powdery starchy food" , "Starchy foodstuff" .)

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

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