Crossword Genius

Uses strategies to back me to the top (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

employs

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'uses strategies' is the definition.
'employs' can be an answer for 'uses' (I've seen this before). I'm unsure of the 'strategies' bit.

'back me to the top' is the wordplay.
'back' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'to the top' becomes 'ploys' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'me' written backwards gives 'em'.
'em'+'ploys'='EMPLOYS'

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for employs that I've seen is " Uses or gives job to".)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.
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