You can actually use +(id)spriteWithFile:(NSString*)filename; asnormal, you only have to supply the absolute filepath like:
NSArray *paths = NSSearchPathForDirectoriesInDomains (NSDocumentDirectory, NSUserDomainMask, YES);
NSString * documentsPath = [paths objectAtIndex:0];
NSString * filename = @"yourImage.png";
NSString * filePath = [documentsPath stringByAppendingPathComponent:filename];
//If file exist in documents folder use that one
if([[NSFileManager defaultManager] fileExistsAtPath:filePath]) {
CCSprite * sprite = [CCSprite spriteWithFile:filePath];
}
else {
//Do somthing else.
}