Wander in controversial area (4)

I believe the answer is:

rove

'wander' is the definition.
(I know that wander can be written as rove)

'in controversial area' is the wordplay.
'in' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'ROVE' is hidden in the letters of 'controversial area'.

(Other definitions for rove that I've seen before include "Knock about" , "Ramble, roam, wander" , "Wander or walk about" , "Range" , "Roam about aimlessly" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.

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