No longer asleep needing a wash (5)

I believe the answer is:

awake

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'no longer asleep' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'a wash' is the wordplay.
'wash' becomes 'wake' (I've seen this before).
'a'+'wake'='AWAKE'

'needing' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for awake that I've seen before include "Make active again" , "Come to" , "Patriotic song 'The West's .....'" , "Conscious and (usually) open-eyed" , "Cease sleeping" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.

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