Tries to take a girl around central Tooting (5)
I believe the answer is:
tests
'tries' is the definition.
(test is a kind of try)
'a girl around central tooting' is the wordplay.
'a girl' becomes 'tess' (**).
'around' indicates putting letters inside.
'central' says to take the centre.
The middle of 'tooting' is 't'.
'tess' going around 't' is 'TESTS'.
'to take' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for tests that I've seen before include "Trials -- tribulations" , "Critically examines" , "Trials, exams" , "Trials for cricketers" , "Puts to proof at cricket matches" .)