And although Laws was reported to have said he thought the Essex side would fall away, something he denies and fears could "write Southend's team talk for them", he had already used a guest column in the League Paper to build up their chances.
He said: "The fact they are chasing promotion has surprised a few people, but I knew they had a good team last year.
"Like us they started well this season, but we then fell away. One of the key reasons was we had long-term injuries that injured us.
"They are in a good position now, an will have every chance of going up if they hold their nerve."
Laws will hand a debut to on-loan midfielder Michael Timlin if Richie Hinds fails to recover from a groin injury.
Steve Torpey is likely to continue up front alongside Andy Keogh, with Billy Sharp out with ankle ligament damage.
Southend could be boosted by the return of Wayne Gray following a hamstring injury.
He hasn't featured for the first-team since January, but made a return to action in the reserves in midweek.
Kevin Maher is free to play after a broken nose, but Mark Bentley is a doubt with an ankle knock.