Howard forced his way into the 29-man Power squad to play against Richmond in the NAB Challenge after impressing in a practice match against Norwood and is expected to start in attack.

“I can’t wait,” Howard said.

“It’s pretty exciting to be playing my first game back in Albury.

“I’m stoked to get the opportunity.

“It will be good to see my family and friends and hopefully I can get a kick.”

Port will play its youngest side in several years with Travis Boak, Brad Ebert, Hamish Hartlett, Robbie Gray, Kane Cornes, Alipate Carlile, Jay Schulz and Justin Westhoff staying in South Australia.

Howard will be among four debutantes.

“It’s been a pretty long pre-season both physically and mentally and it was good to get called up,” he said.

“I’m just keen to play.

“My body has held up alright over the pre-season which is good because we have had a fairly big workload to get through.”

With both Boak and Ebert not travelling for the game, Port will choose its stand-in captain on the eve of the match.

Power ruckman Jarrad Redden will play his first competitive fixtures since round 10 of 2013.

Redden had shoulder, hip and knee surgery during 2013, then needed two knee operations last year.

Howard was glowing in his praise for the coaching staff since arriving.

“Kenny (Hinkley) has been great,” he said.

“In everything I have had to do with him he’s always been very supportive.”

Howard played with the Murray Bushrangers and Albury last season before being picked up with selection No. 56 in the draft.

He previously played for East Wagga-Kooringal and Wagga Tigers as a youngster.