COMPING WITH PREVIOUS RECORDING PLAYING

Right-click the track in question and make a duplicate track with the same effects chain etc, but with no "Events" i.e. clips. Have them record/punch in to their heart's content on the duplicate track, and then drop the best take in afterwards!

With something like this, especially on critical elements like a lead vocal or solo or something, I usually save an archive copy of the full, every-take punch-in track as well, using the Archive feature and then sending it to a folder on the project called Archive. That way you can always go back and fish for something better if you, say, decide that a certain phrase or note or whatever isn't really doing it for you at a later date.

Maybe I'm missing something in what you're looking for, but you can make a timeline selection to punch in wherever you need to, then in the Preferences under Project/Record, make sure "Mute Previous Takes" is unchecked.  That will allow you to remain in Comping mode while still hearing previous takes.