Cockerill expects to conquer the Kings.

EDINBURGH head coach Richard Cockerill is still demanding a victory today against Southern Kings despite the loss of nine internationals from his European Pool-topping squad. Coming off what is Edinburgh's most successful run in the Heineken Champions Cup since 2012, Cockerill must now turn his attention to securing a play-off place in the Pro14. The Englishman will have welcomed the return of Dave Cherry, Chris Dean and Luke Crosbie to the fray from Gregor Townsend's Six Nations squad. With two points between the capital side and fifth-placed Ulster in Conference B, Cockerill must put faith in his diluted squad. 'We are certainly understrength compared with where we could be,' said Cockerill. 'But we would expect ourselves to perform. 'We were a little bit short in that back line, so Chris Dean arriving has been very helpful. 'We were also short in the back row. Luke Crosbie has been a welcome addition and Dave Cherry wants to impress to get into the (Scotland) squad for the Italy game.' In-form winger Duhan van der Merwe will miss the match due to his brother's wedding, but the half-back pairing of Henry Pyrgos and Jaco van der Walt remain. Jamie Johnstone is on the wing and George Taylor accompanies Dean in the centre. EDINBURGH: Fife; Brown, Taylor, Dean, Johnstone; Van der Walt, Pyrgos; Schoeman, Cherry, Ceccarelli, McKenzie (c), Hunter-Hill, Crosbie, Miller, Mata. Replacements: Ford, Marfo, McCallum, Hodgson, Mason, Fowles, Hickey, Socino. Kick-off: 3.15pm Madibaz Stadium. TV: LIVE Super Sport, Premier Sports 2. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]