3 clues, think I know the answers, but why?

[1eyedjack]

10A: Article written for the Courier? (6)
L?A?E?
Answer may be LEADER, fits definition part "Article", but what to do withi Courier?

14A: Small budget for say, Oxford's American connection (10)
S?O?S?R?N?
Answer is obviously SHOESTRING, fits definition part "Small budget", but what about the rest of the clue?

24A: Only keeping single figure out (5)
S?L?E
Answer appearst to be SOLVE. Fits definition part "figure out". SOL?E being "Only". But what has "V" got to do with "single"?

[roslyn251254]

v = 5 = figure , sole = single

[roslyn251254]

oxford ia a type of shoe, string is the connection

[1eyedjack]

Thanks. Do you suggest that the word "figure" used twice in the clue, ie "Single figure" in cryptic element and "figure out" in definition?

[1eyedjack]

Is it an American style of clue? Where does American fit?

[roslyn251254]

ah - sole must be only and v(5) the single. Defn is as you say figure out. Not such a good clue1

[1eyedjack]

Sorry, for clue read shoe

[boxtops]

Shoestring was a detective, was he American.

[Valanne]

An Oxfoed is a lace-up shoe. Shoestring is what the Americans call a shoelace.