Play lacking a way to work (3)
I believe the answer is:
ply
'to work' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'play lacking a' is the wordplay.
'lacking' indicates named letters should be taken away.
'play' with 'a' taken away is 'PLY'.
'way' is the link.
This may not be correct. It may belong to another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ply that I've seen before include "Laminate thickness" , "Layer of folded material" , "Practise (a trade)" , "A layer to work at diligently." , "Strand, of wool or wood, say" .)