Crossword Genius

With a clean sheet, he shouldn't lose his place (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

keeper

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'place' is the definition.
(I know that keeper is a place)

'with a clean sheet he shouldn't lose his' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'a' could be 'per' (eg 'one a day' means 'one per day') and 'per' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'kee' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for keeper that I've seen before include "Zoo or park manager" , "Holder; museum official" , "Reluctant" , "Guardian, in the zoo say" , "SECOND PART OF 16" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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