Howe, as promised, used 22 players in the game with only the Preston bound Clarke Carlisle and striker Charlie Austin missing from his squad. He watched, alongside his assistant Jason Tindall, as his players put in half a game each and played, at times, some very good football.
"I am pleased with the work out and not to pick up any injuries, which is the main thing at this stage," he said after the game.
"We are still in the very early stages, where the players have only been back 10 days, so 45 minutes was just about the limit in terms of what they are capable of. We have to build the fitness levels up, but I am delighted with all 22 players and there's plenty more to come from us.
"Pre-season games are all about building up and by the time the Watford game comes along I am confident we will be organised and ready."