Woman close to return, a local admitted (6)
I believe the answer is:
daphne
'woman' is the definition.
'close to return a local admitted' is the wordplay.
'close' becomes 'end' (I've seen this before**).
'to return' is a reversal indicator.
'local' becomes 'ph' (abbreviation for Public House).
'admitted' indicates putting letters inside.
'end' in reverse letter order is 'dne'.
'a'+'ph'='aph'
'dne' placed around 'aph' is 'DAPHNE'.
(Other definitions for daphne that I've seen before include "Evergreen shrub" , "Small shrub, fem. name" , "Greek nymph and ornamental shrub" , "Name of girl or shrub" , "Shrub - girl's name" .)