It’s rumoured somewhat that putting his back into it makes him long-faced and dealing with termites (8)

(Another meniscal tear in left knee - want to take my mind off it.)

No, not approach.

It’s rumoured somewhat that putting his back into it makes him long-faced and dealing with termites (8)

_ a _ _ _ a _ _

Yes, aardvark it is.

It’s rumoured somewhat that putting his back into it makes him long-faced and dealing with termites (8)

WORDPLAY

it’s rumoured [homophone indicator]

somewhat -> modifier indicating that the homophone isn’t exact

putting his back into it [charade] hard work

(sounds like] aardvark (esp. if you put on an Eastern European accent)

WHOLE DEFINITION

long-faced and dealing with termites = aardvark

Over to you, nfs.