Supporter using muscle to protect new player (10)
I believe the answer is:
benefactor
'supporter' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'muscle to protect new player' is the wordplay.
'muscle' becomes 'beef' (I've seen this before).
'to protect' indicates putting letters inside (inserted letters are held or protected).
'new' becomes 'n' (common abbreviation eg NT for New Testament).
'player' becomes 'actor' (synonyms).
'beef' placed around 'n' is 'benef'.
'benef'+'actor'='BENEFACTOR'
'using' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for benefactor that I've seen before include "Patronising sort" , "One giving money to person/cause" , "charity supporter?" , "Person giving to a good cause" , "One giving to worthy cause" .)