Veteran in shock losing heart (6)

I believe the answer is:

stager

'veteran' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'shock losing heart' is the wordplay.
'shock' becomes 'stagger' (I've seen this before).
'losing heart' suggests removing the centre.
'stagger' with its middle removed is 'STAGER'.

'in' is the link.

(Other definitions for stager that I've seen before include "Greats (anag.)" , "(Old?) person of much experience" , "Veteran" , "experienced performer" , "Old hand" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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