The number working have one guy with clout (8)
I believe the answer is:
manpower
'the number working' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how they can define each other.
'one guy with clout' is the wordplay.
'one guy' becomes 'man' (guy can informally mean a man).
'with' says to put letters next to each other.
'clout' becomes 'power' (I've seen this in another clue).
'man'+'power'='MANPOWER'
'have' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for manpower that I've seen before include "Workforce" , "labour force" , "Work force" , "Staff resources" , "People available for work" .)