Guardian 26465

[LesHearn]

7d "Scalpel shaving..."
Answer seems to be "nuclei" but why?

[Lie-in King]

7d Scalpel shaving odd parts in the middle of genuine central bits (6)

Nuclei (central bits) - shave odd letters from '(s)c(a)l(p)e(l)' & put in the middle of '(ge)nui(ne)'

[frugalfred]

Is that the full clue, Les? How sure are you of the cross-checked letters? What letters have you definitely and confidently placed?

[frugalfred]

It helps if we have the full clue, Lie-in King!

[Captain2]

Shish! I nearly asked if that was the full clue. Thanks LIK

Les - as you obviously do cryptic Xwords you MUST know that the FULL clue is needed to answer.

[Lie-in King]

Agreed, which is why I posted it rather than ask the OP & wait

[LesHearn]

Thanks for help and sorry for not putting in full clue. Humble pie being eaten as I write!

[Captain2]

:-))

[frugalfred]

Ca ne fait rien, Les.