Worried surgeon clasping cold sponge (8)
I believe the answer is:
scrounge
'sponge' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'worried surgeon clasping cold' is the wordplay.
'worried' indicates anagramming the letters.
'clasping' indicates putting letters inside (inserted letters are clasped).
'cold' becomes 'c' (eg on taps).
'surgeon' anagrammed gives 'srounge'.
'srounge' placed around 'c' is 'SCROUNGE'.
(Other definitions for scrounge that I've seen before include "Try to get hold of" , "Seek something free from others" , "Freeload" , "Cadge, sponge" , "Cadge, beg" .)