Howells,
Town caretaker boss Andy Awford makes three changes to the side that lost 4-3 to Northampton last weekend.
Jake Howells returns to the starting XI at left-back for his first appearance since the final game of the last season.
Meanwhile Scott Cuthbert slots in at centre-half alongside Magnus Okuonghae and Cameron McGeehan starts in central midfield.
A knee injury rules out Jonathan Smith and a hamstring injury has meant Luke Wilkinson also sits out.
The Town will line-up 4-2-3-1, with Olly Lee and Alex Lawless sitting in central midfield behind Danny Green (left), McGeehan (central) and Craig Mackail-Smith on the right. Paul Benson leads the line.
Youth team duo Frankie Musonda and James Justin are named among the substitutes.
Town: Tyler; Long, Howells, Okuonghae, Cuthbert; Lawless, Lee; Green, McGeehan, Mackail-Smith; Benson.
Subs: Musonda, Justin, Marriott, Griffiths, McQuoid, Guttridge, Justham.
Exeter: Olejnik, Woodman, Oakley, Holmes, Davies, Nicholls, Moore-Taylor, Reid, Nichols, Tillson, Grant.
Subs: Hamon, McAllister, Morrison, Oyeleke, McCready, Watkins, Egan.
Referee: Andy Davies.