Covering needed by thatcher (5)
I believe the answer is:
hatch
'covering' is the definition.
'needed by thatcher' is the wordplay.
'needed by' indicates a hidden word (the solution letters are needed to write the clue).
'HATCH' is hidden in the letters of 'thatcher'.
(Other definitions for hatch that I've seen before include "Opening < car" , "Breed" , "Movable cover on ship's deck - batten it down" , "Dream up" , "Opening in floor or wall" .)