Crossword Genius

Want Geordie to meet newsman (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

need

'want' is the definition.
(I know that want can be written as need)

'geordie to meet newsman' is the wordplay.
'geordie' becomes 'NE' (Geordies are from Tyneside in the North East).
'to meet' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'newsman' becomes 'ed' (short for editor).
'ne'+'ed'='NEED'

(Other definitions for need that I've seen before include "Exigency" , "Shortage" , "Penury" , "privation" , "Want - require(ment)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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