Hurried returns deserve recount (7)
I believe the answer is:
narrate
'recount' is the definition.
('narrate' can be a synonym of 'recount')
'hurried returns deserve' is the wordplay.
'hurried' becomes 'ran' (running is a kind of hurrying).
'returns' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'deserve' becomes 'rate' ('rate' can be a synonym of 'deserve').
'ran' backwards is 'nar'.
'nar'+'rate'='NARRATE'
(Other definitions for narrate that I've seen before include "Relate events" , "Provide commentary" , "'Recount, tell (7)'" , "Relay" , "Report; tell" .)