Check the club is returned (3)
I believe the answer is:
tab
'check' is the definition.
(I know that check can be written as tab)
'club is returned' is the wordplay.
'club' becomes 'bat' (as in sporting equipment).
'is returned' says the letters should be written backwards.
'bat' reversed gives 'TAB'.
'the' is the link.
(Other definitions for tab that I've seen before include "Marker" , "Tally of orders in bar" , "Kind of label for bat" , "Bar tally; small flap" , "Check" .)