I'M THE CAPTAIN ... sub Wayne Rooney takes the armband against Belgium

NANI reckons England could be dead in the Euro water without Wayne Rooney.

And he thinks the absence of his Manchester United team-mate for England’s first two group games is so colossal that Roy Hodgson’s men may fail to make the knockout stages.

Portugal winger Nani has his own problems negotiating Group B, which includes pre-tournament favourites Germany and World Cup runners-up Holland.

But he believes England could find it even harder in Group D, especially in those first two matches against France and Sweden when Rooney will be suspended having been sent off in the qualifier with Montenegro.

United’s Danny Welbeck or Liverpool’s £35million hitman Andy Carroll will replace him against Laurent Blanc’s Les Bleus next Monday.

But Nani, 25, said: “Rooney is a key man and two matches without my United companion could be too much for England.

“Roo is angry about his absence because he knows he’s the man to score goals and he won’t be there working for the team.

“I sincerely want England to reach the quarter-finals but it’s not going to be easy.

“For an England team without Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard and Gareth Barry is vulnerable because they are suffering in all departments of the team.

“These players are so important for the team and their replacements are not at the same level.

“These absences place many doubts about the English for the Euros. England need to make their biggest effort because injuries are destroying the team.

“It’s incredible to lose so many men each week.

“England do have players of sensational quality but that does not guarantee success. They must perform as a unit and not depend on individuals.

“Welbeck could cause a lot of harm and break down defensive systems. The kid has improved a lot this season and justifies his presence in the team.”

Nani, who himself has fought to be fit to face Germany on Saturday after picking up a knock in Portugal’s friendly loss to Turkey, thinks England could have been struggling against rejuvenated France even if Hodgson had a full-strength squad to choose from.

He added: “England’s opening game against France is very dangerous.

“The two teams both need a victory because the result will put a very decisive stamp on the group.

“The losers will receive much criticism and that will generate a lot of pressure for the following game.

“Hodgson’s style is totally different to that of Fabio Capello — and I do not know if the players have taken on board a new concept.

“And while history dictates England are normally candidates for the title, in reality I see other teams with more chance to win than them.

“People consider Spain, Germany and Holland as the big candidates for the European Championships but Portugal can spring a surprise.

“If we can gain confidence from one match to the next, we can go a long way.

“From our point of view, the Euros are not about a rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and I to be the best player, but for us both to help the team.

“I did suffer a scare in the last friendly but I am recovered for the game with Germany.”