The 14-year-old is already one of best competitors in the world but has so far not been able to compete at senior level due to rules on age.

She won the Russian junior title in January with a free programme score of 164.44 points, higher than the current world record set by compatriot and Olympic champion Alina Zagitova.

However, this mark is not accepted by the International Skating Union which only recognises scores from international events.

Trusova made history in September by becoming the first woman to land a quadruple toeloop-triple toeloop combination in competition.

She pulled off the feat at the Amber Cup event in Kaunas in Lithuania.

Her victory at last year's World Junior Championships in Sofia had seen her become the first woman to land two quadruple jumps in one programme.

Russia won all four titles in Sofia but only Trusova will return to defend her crown.

Her biggest rival could be compatriot Alena Kostornaia, who won silver in Sofia but pipped Trusova into second place at the Junior Grand Prix Final in Vancouver in December.

In men's action, Canada's Grand Prix Final winner Stephen Gogolev will be in action with Russia's Petr Gumennik another strong contender.

Grand Prix Final pairs winners Anastasia Mishina and Aleksandr Galiamov will be another threat for the Russians, as will Vancouver ice dance champions Sofia Shevchenko and Igor Eremenko.

The event begins tomorrow at Dom Sportova with the men's and pairs short programmes, and will run in the Croatian capital until Saturday (March 9).